Issue 50

Bangkok biannual gift and houseware fair shows that Thailand’s lifestyle product sector is in fine fettle.

“The lifestyle product sector is one of Thailand’s most vital industries,” said Malee Choklumlerd, Director General of the DITP, at the opening ceremony of the Bangkok International Gift Fair and Bangkok International Houseware Fair (BIG+BIH) on April 19.

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 twin fairs of BIG+BIH are regarded as an international trade platform for entrepreneurs to show off their potential for design, product development and value creation,” Choklumlerd said. “The event serves to generate new market channels and new client bases, thus propelling more Thai products and services onto global markets.”

This April, the theme for BIG+BIH was ASEAN LIFE+STYLE. The fair featured over 400 businesses from Thailand and overseas, including companies from South Korea, Taiwan, Ghana, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. With 1,202 booths, more than 50,000 visitors from around the world attended the show, generating orders in excess of 1.6 billion baht (US$45 million) over the five days of the exhibition.

“Last year, BIG+BIH generated a total of US$2.78 billion (98.684 billion baht) in export value,” said Choklumlerd.

The director-general added that during the first two months of 2016, the lifestyle product industry had registered exports worth US$413.10 million (14.681 billion baht).

Highlights of this year’s show included: H & H, or the Host and Home Project; products for older citizens, the 60+ Project; an ASEAN-Plus exhibition; the Top of OTOP exhibition; a new Pet Café; and award-winning designs from the Prime Minister’s Export Award and Thailand Trust Mark.

Attendees said that the fair was continuing to go from strength to strength.
“I have been to the BIG+BIH for a few years, and the fair has definitely become bigger with more diverse products,” said Christian Strohmayer, a reporter from Vienna-based Wohnkultur Interior Design Publication.
“BIG+BIH is the best marketplace,” said Kamonrat Atipalungkool of PYC Union Trading. “It is not only the place to show and update our products, but it’s also the place to meet and listen to our customers’ needs about what they want and what we should improve.”

BIG+BIH April 2016 ran from April 19 to 23 at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre.

For more information, please visit www.bigandbih.com

Information courtesy of the DITP

Words by: Patcharee Taedangpetch

Issue 48

Thai auto parts manufacturers showcased their latest products at the environmentally-friendly TAPA 2016.

Thailand has long served as an important hub for the global auto part and automotive industry. The focus of the Thailand Auto Parts & Accessories 2016 (TAPA 2016) held from April 7 to 10 at BITEC, Bangkok, was on Thailand becoming the auto part and accessory hub of ASEAN.

“Thailand is ASEAN’s leader in the automotive industry, and we have expertise and a high standard of production in the auto part and accessory industry. These industries play a crucial role in the country’s economy,” Malee Choklumlerd, Director General of the DITP, Ministry of Commerce, said at the event.

According to Choklumlerd, the value of automobile exports in 2015 was US$19.2 billion, with Australia, the Philippines and Saudi Arabia being the major export markets, while auto part and accessory exports raised US$13 billion, with Japan, Indonesia and Malaysia topping the list of buyers.

“Apart from manufacturing auto parts for automotive companies in Thailand, auto part manufacturers can also produce replacement auto parts and accessories, where there are opportunities in product development and marketing,” says Arthit Wuthikaro, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry.

The Thai Auto Parts Manufacturers Association continues to support the industry, specifically in developing Thai brands and providing training for staff in the auto part and automotive industry.

“Thai auto part manufacturers should focus on producing quality parts that are environmentally friendly according to the world trend,” Anchana Limpaitoon, President of the Thai Auto Parts Manufacturers Association, said. “This year, the association expects exports will grow by 3% to 5%.”

Jointly organised by the DITP, the Thai Auto Parts Manufacturers Association, Thai Auto Parts Aftermarket Association, Worachak Automotive Synergy Association and Thai Subcontracting Promotion Association, TAPA featured 576 exhibitors from Thailand and overseas.

The products and services on display included auto parts and components (OEM/REM), auto accessories, petroleum/lubricants/maintenance products, tools/dyes and machines, vehicles, repair, maintenance and services, IT and management.

The event also allowed companies to present new products and innovations, and use it as a platform to expand trade opportunities within the ASEAN region.

Under the theme ‘World Auto Parts Sourcing Hub: The Green Innovation High Quality Product for Sustainable Growth’, TAPA 2016 presented new environmentally friendly products and innovations which can reduce pollution, save energy and reduce global warming.

Highlights included exhibitions and product showcases from leading automobile and auto part manufacturers presenting the latest technology. There were also seminars on topics, such as future export trends, export obstacles, and important trade measures.

For more information, visit www.thailandautopartsfair.com

Information courtesy of the DITP

Words by Pimsirinuch Borsub

Issue 49

Over 1,800 food companies from 40 countries will showcase their products at Asia’s second largest food trade fair.

Co-organised by the DITP, the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Koelnmesse GmbH, THAIFEX-World of Food Asia has significantly boosted exports of Thai food products in recent years, as well as aiding the country’s economy.

“THAIFEX-World of Food Asia is one of our strategies to promote Thailand as the kitchen of the world,” says DITP Director-General Malee Choklumlerd. “It also enhances the acceptance of Thai food products and food services in the global market.”

Thailand’s food exports were valued at US$24.4 billion in 2015. This year, the DITP plans to increase exports to markets such as the ASEAN countries, China and the Middle East. THAIFEX plays an important role in the department’s strategy.

“This annual fair has played a vital role in developing the food and beverages industry in Thailand and the region as we can see producers from different countries join the event to showcase their products and technologies as well as seeking new business partners,” Choklumlerd says.

In 2015, the five-day fair generated US$234 million (8,189 million baht). Around US$40 million (1,406 million baht) of this was in immediate transactions and US$192 million (6,709.2 million baht) in potential sales over the year, while retail sales raised a further US$2 million (73.8 million baht).

THAIFEX attracted 6,422 foreign visitors last year, with food exhibitors coming from China, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Vietnam and Turkey.

Held from May 25 to 29 at the IMPACT, Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok, Choklumlerd anticipates 2016’s THAIFEX to be as successful as the previous year’s fair.

“We expect that this year immediate transactions and retail selling will not be less than last year because the economies of our trade partners are getting better, therefore, it is estimated that demand for food products will be increasing as well,” she says.

The DITP is encouraging Thai entrepreneurs nationwide to participate in the fair, and is organising training sessions and seminars on the food industry and its trends, as well as offering advice to Thai food exporters.

THAIFEX-World of Food Asia 2016 will be open for trade from May 25 to 29 (10am to 6pm), and the fair will be open to the general public from May 28 to 29 (10am to 8pm).

For more information, visit www.ditp.go.th and www.thailandfoodfair.com.

Information and photos courtesy of the DITP

Words by Somhatai Mosika

Issue 47

Leading furniture designers and manufacturers gather at the Thailand International Furniture Fair 2016 to showcase their latest designs.

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

Organised by the DITP, the Thai Furniture Industry Club and the Thai Furniture Industries Association, the Thailand International Furniture Fair (TIFF 2016) featured more than 180 leading furniture companies.

“This year, both the US and China, two very important markets, are expected to significantly increase their furniture imports from Thailand,” says DITP Director General Malee Choklumlerd. “Therefore, the DITP believes that Thailand’s furniture export value will increase by 10% compared to last year.”

Held at the Impact, Muang Thong Thani from March 9 to 13 under the theme of ‘ASEAN Smart Living’, TIFF 2016 aimed to present high-quality furniture with fresh and creative ideas. Highlights of the event included the trendy I+D Style Cafe, Design Plant, Upcycling and the Young Designer Showcase.

A new scheme unveiled at TIFF 2016 was the Thai Kagu Project, a collaboration between the DITP and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to develop furniture for Japan’s elderly population.

“The active senior segment is seniors who are retired but still physically strong, most likely with grown up children who have moved away,” says Kohei Takata, CEO of L’Epice, a furniture product development expert and the designer of the Thai Kagu Project. The designs on display reflected the specific needs of seniors, from rounded-corner tabletops and furniture, to sturdy sofas and compact, lightweight furniture that seniors are able to move around without assistance.

Takata gave special lectures and consultations to participants on the project, which includes Thai furniture companies such as Salt and Pepper Design Studio, Deesawat Industries and Element 26, all of whom have manufactured prototypes of special designs showcased at TIFF 2016.

“Furniture manufacturers in Thailand understand the needs of the Japan furniture market much better than manufacturers in other countries,” says Takata. The criteria for choosing the ten Thai furniture manufacturers are their interest in expanding to the Japanese market, their ability to manufacture high-quality designs and their understanding of the design concept.

Among the many activities held at the TIFF 2016, the UPCYCLE Carbon Footprint: Green Marketing Strategy seminar by Assistant Professor Dr Singh Intrachooto, head of the Creative Centre for Eco-Design at Kasetsart University, was well received by visitors, especially students. To demonstrate its success in transforming waste materials into design products and furniture, the centre showcased over 30 upcycled products at the event.

“The new environment-focused products are certified with the Upcycle Carbon Footprint label,” says Intrachooto. “Thailand is considered the first country in the ASEAN region that promotes this certification.”

For more information, visit www.thailandfurniturefair.com

Information courtesy of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP)

Words by Pimsirinuch Borsub