Issue 55

Horizon speaks to the founder of Bozzi pet products, which specialises in chemical-free, organic pet products that are all human-tested before being released into the market.

According to the Thai Pet Product Industries Association, the country’s pet product industry is worth 20 billion baht (US$568 million), with the trend set to grow by 10% annually. The boom is due to the younger generation who identify themselves as “pet parents”, taking care of pets like members of the family. This has driven the growth in related businesses such as pet food, pet jewelry, pet health care products and pet grooming services.

One company capitalising on this market is Bozzi.

“The line of pet grooming products was founded in 2013 when my family took in two stray Persian cats,” says its founder Inkathe Chotiphansiri. “Most of the cats’ fur had fallen out and they had skin infections. I started caring for them and treating them, and as my family already manufactures skincare and spa products, I adapted the products for pet use and eventually the cats fur grew back.”

Since then, Chotiphansiri has developed a range of products while overseeing the company’s marketing. Now, all Bozzi products are first human-tested before being sold to customers. As Chotiphansiri’s mother is a certified herbal pharmacist, the pair ensure that there are no chemicals, such as foaming agents or steroids in the pet products. Products include shampoos made with aloe vera and turmeric extracts for hypoallergenic dogs or from moringa oil and spirulina extracts for puppies and small breeds.

“We receive a lot of feedback from customers who send us pictures of their pet before and after using our products,” says Chotiphansiri. “As Bozzi is human-grade, some of our customers have even tried using the pet balm and pet shampoo themselves.”

Initially sold in department stores, pet clinics and hospitals in Thailand, Bozzi now has distributors in Taiwan and Singapore. “The DITP has been immensely supportive, we qualified to join Interpets 2016 in Tokyo, Japan in April, and we also participated in business matching activities in Osaka during the trip,” says Chotiphansiri. “From this, we received orders for samples, and our distributor in Japan obtained the necessary import certifications from the Japanese authorities.”

Bozzi has participated in the BIGBIH (Bangkok International Gift and Bangkok International Houseware) fair since 2015, receiving good feedback from visitors.

“I think it’s essential for smaller brands like us to get recognition by organising booths at trade fairs like BIGBIH,” says Chotiphansiri. “Buyers and visitors at BIGBIH have both the purchasing power and the appreciation for lifestyle and design products. It’s one of the must-attend shows of the year.”

One of the main challenges of producing organic products is to control the cost of raw materials as prices for herbs change seasonally. “We grow some of the herbs ourselves while sourcing others,” says Chotiphansiri. “It’s very difficult to keep the prices affordable but we do so because we want Thai people to use the products as well.”

Chotiphansiri is working hard to export more of her products to new markets in the near future.

“My goal is to increase distribution to as many countries as possible,” she says. “Many foreign markets appreciate organic and herbal products, and I believe that there is a lot of room for growth for pet products both in Thailand and other countries.”

For more information, visit www.bozzipet.com

Words by Pimsirinuch Borsub

Issue 53

Government officials and representatives from the private sector joined in June to discuss building networks and promoting investment for the CLMVT.

Situated between the largest economies in the world – India and China – and boasting an average 5.8% GDP growth from 2011 to 2014 despite the worldwide economic slowdown, the CLMVT countries (Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand) are determined to join forces in order to facilitate trade and investment in the region.

The first CLMVT Forum 2016, gathered 15 ministers from the ASEAN countries responsible for economics, trade, industry, investment and tourism. Keynote speeches and roundtable discussions considered a range of issues, from financial integration and harmonising standards and procedures, to promoting start-up businesses.

Thailand’s Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha presided the opening ceremony on June 16 and delivered a keynote address entitled CLMVT: Prosper Together, in which he referred to the region’s great potential and opportunities to develop trade, investment and tourism.

“The CLMVT region is set to play a unique role as a vital destination for international investment, tourism and industry,” he said. “The CLMVT countries are looking forward to enhanced economic integration and connectivity that will engender a sustainable and shared prosperity in the region that leaves no one behind.

“The private sector plays a vital role in the growth of the region. Moreover, government-issued agreements are now in place to facilitate the expansion of businesses such as the Ayeyawadi-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), the Greater Mekong Sub-region Economic Cooperation Programme (GMS) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral, Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). I hope to see the Thai government and officials from CLMV countries take this opportunity to increase cooperation for both the private and public sector.”

The forum was organised by the Ministry of Commerce, in collaboration with the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Sports, Culture, and Industry, as well as various other government agencies.

“The main objective of this forum is to bring about the region’s common goal of shared prosperity, accentuate its potential, correct weaknesses, unlock … obstacles, create a borderless economic community … so that CLMVT would become Asia’s New Growth Engine,” Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said.

“Thailand aims to increase trade with CLMV countries by 16% compared to last year’s growth of 13%,” Tantraporn added. “Also, we target exports to grow by 13% from US$22 billion in 2015. Currently, exports from Thailand to CLMV account for 10.4% of all products and services in the country.”

Policy makers, entrepreneurs, business leaders and academics from the five nations and beyond engaged in talks and discussions on connectivity, such as promoting business and investment, creating a “single, seamless region”, and supporting the digital infrastructure including e-transactions and e-tourism.
The CLMVT Forum 2016 was held from June 16 to 18 at Dusit Thani Hotel, Bangkok.

Information and photographs courtesy of the DITP
Words by Pimsirinuch Borsub

Issue 54

Around 800 exhibitors from 30 countries will trade at Bangkok’s biannual gems and jewelry tradeshow in September.

Thailand’s gems and jewelry industry is key to the country’s export success. In 2015, it was ranked third in terms of export value, generating nearly US$11 billion (371 billion baht), which represented just over 5% of total exports value.

“We expect gem and jewelry exports to grow by 10% in 2016,” says DITP Director-General Malee Choklumlerd. “We aim to see Thailand ranked as one of the top 10 gem and jewelry exporters in the world, and become a major global hub for the industry’s manufacturing and trading by 2020.”

Currently, Thailand’s major export markets include Hong Kong, the US, Germany, Switzerland and the UAE, with a focus on potential super-rich consumers in China, India and the Middle East.

A key component of the DITP’s promotion of the industry is the biannual Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair (BGJF). The 58th BGJF will be hosted by the DITP from September 7 to 11 at Challenger Hall, IMPACT, Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok.

“BGJF is one of the most efficient marketing strategies for promoting Thailand’s industry to the global market,” says Choklumlerd, adding that the country’s jewelry is widely recognised for its quality, creativity, design and high production standards.

The fair’s highlights will include a concept showcase for potential markets such as: the 60+Exhibition featuring jewelry for the elderly, Gemstlemen jewelry for men, Pet Parade jewelry for pet lovers, and The Moments exhibition that will feature jewelry for special occasions. The event will also host the Gems Vision 2017 Showcase by Swarovski Gemstones, as well as business matching activities for buyers and sellers from around the globe.

“Niche markets will be key for the [industry’s] future growth, and Thailand will focus more on promoting these unique products, for example, we will have a concept showcase for jewelry charms, which are very popular among consumers in China, Hong Kong and Malaysia,” says Choklumlerd.

With 2,313 booths, the 57th Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair attracted 786 exhibitors, of which 89 were from overseas, as well as 22,140 visitors from 160 countries. Choklumlerd believes the September show will prove even more successful.

“We expect orders of US$428 million (15 billion baht), and estimate that the number of foreign exhibitors’ booths will be 30% higher than the previous event,” she says. “About 30,000 visitors are expected to come to the fair.”

Information courtesy of the DITP. For more information about the fair, please contact +66 2507 8392-3 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Words by Somhatai Mosika

Issue 52

Thai furniture manufacturers have received advice from Italian experts on designing and producing furniture for the European market.

In 2015, furniture exports from Thailand valued more than 35 billion baht (US$1.05 billion), with the US, Japan, Australia, China and the UK featuring as top destinations.

The DITP, seeking to develop new markets for hospitality products in European markets, initiated the Host & Home Project in 2015. The dual goal of the project was to promote quality Thai products to hotels, spas and restaurants, while revitalising the image of Thai products to be more stylish.

At the Bangkok International Gift Fair and Bangkok International Houseware Fair 2016 (BIG+BIH 2016) held this April, the DITP unveiled prototype furniture designed and manufactured by the 23 Thai companies who participated in the project.

“This project began in July 2015 with the aim for us to provide product development for Thai companies in different fields,” says Marcello Massarente, CEO of Mitor Consultancy Services from Italy. “We have been working with the DITP and architects from Florence who defined the style and mood that is the most trendy and popular in Europe. Then, they tried to create the same atmosphere through different producers.”

Approximately 40 pieces of furniture were created as part of the project with the theme of retro glam, using palettes of white, black and grey to create an atmosphere of simple elegance.

“We collaborated with Thai manufacturers by providing input on trends, mostly in the 20th century style,” said Alberto Grassi, an Italian architect who was part of the Host & Home project. “Initially, we did a lot of research on current styles and we saw that the hospitality trend is trying to set a mood that feels like home. Even in large hotel chains, the trend now is to style the rooms to feel more charming rather than business-like.”

According to Grassi, the Italian team was impressed with the ability of Thai companies to understand and design furniture to reflect this mood and design.

“On this project, we had a chance to work with very good textile and furniture companies … to create the Host & Home collection,” he says. “The ability of Thai manufacturers is really good and the price is also good. Selling is not just a matter of design, but also about price and delivery time, so we are now working on marketing too.”

Massarente revealed that the next step is to bring the collection to the Maison d’Objet trade fair in Paris in September 2016, and then to Milan, before expanding sales to the US and Asia.

Other projects and highlights at the BIG+BIH included: products for older citizens, the 60+ Project; an ASEAN-Plus exhibition; the Top of OTOP exhibition; and award-winning designs from the Prime Minister’s Export Award and Thailand Trust Mark.

Organised twice each year by the DITP, BIG+BIH is widely recognised as Thailand’s premier trade event for lifestyle products, and ASEAN’s biggest sourcing ground for quality design products. The next edition of the BIG+BIH will be held from October 19 to 23 at BITEC Bangna.

Information courtesy of the DITP

Words by Pimsirinuch Borsub