Thailand is an export oriented emerging economy. As a result, manufacturing is the most important sector and accounts for 34 percent of GDP. Services constitute around 44 percent of GDP. Within services, the most important are wholesale and retail trade (13 percent of GDP); transport, storage and communication (7 percent of GDP); hotels and restaurants (5 percent of GDP) and public administration, defense and social security (4.5 percent of GDP). Agriculture also makes a significant contribution - around 13 percent of GDP.