Issue 56

Designers and lifestyle brands are ready to reveal their latest collections at one of Bangkok’s biggest trade fairs.

Lifestyle products for pets and active seniors as well as Thai wellness products will be at the forefront of the 42nd Bangkok International Gift Fair and Bangkok International Houseware Fair (BIG+BIH) in October.

“Thai lifestyle products are widely recognised and accepted in the international market for their high quality, innovation, fineness and craftsmanship. This year, we will prioritise pet products and services, products for active seniors (60+ population) and hotel and spa items because we have seen high demand and rapid growth in these potential sectors,” says DITP director-general Malee Choklumlerd.

“We believe that Thailand could be the regional hub for manufacturing and exporting gifts, housewares and lifestyle products. It will be a platform where buyers from around the world can meet and do business with Thai producers and exporters,” she adds.

Running from October 19 to 23 at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC), BIG+BIH will feature about 600 lifestyle product exhibitors from Thailand and abroad occupying 1,600 booths. They will showcase their high quality products and services to buyers and the general public. The event will feature various zones including TOP of OTOP (One Tambon One Product), and the DEmark and Talent Thai 2016 zones, which will showcase award-winning products as well as offering product development advice to budding entrepreneurs.

Last October’s BIG+BIH fair consisted of 1,353 booths and 489 exhibitors from Thailand, Indonesia, Russia, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, the UK, South Korea, India, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Over 57,000 visitors from around the world attended the show, generating orders worth US$37.66 million (1.32 billion baht) over the five days of the exhibition.

Choklumlerd anticipates this year’s fair to be even bigger.

“It’s estimated that over 58,000 visitors will come to the event in October generating orders worth US$39.42 million (1.38 billion baht),” she says.

The Ministry of Commerce predicts exports of lifestyle products to reach US$2.92 billion in 2016, up 5% on the previous year, while exports of gifts and housewares should reach US$290 million, again an increase of 5% on the previous year. The top 10 export markets for these products are the US, Japan, Australia, China, the UK, Germany, Malaysia, Vietnam, Mexico and South Korea. However, Choklumlerd believes that Thai businesses should shift their focus.

“ASEAN countries and the Middle East are potential export markets which Thai entrepreneurs must seize in the future,” she says.

Information courtesy of the DITP. For more information about the fair, please visit: http://oct2016.bigandbih.com

Words by Somhatai Mosika