Issue 10: 18 Aug 2014

Nuntawan Sakuntanaga, the director general of the DITP has revealed the department’s latest strategy for the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in late 2015. She announced that the DITP is looking at Vietnam as a base for raw materials and the production of Thai goods. The DITP aims to boost the food, service, clothes and textile industries in Vietnam.

The DITP, governmental organisations and private businesses have held a Thailand Week exposition in Vietnam this month. In addition, 26 Thai entrepreneurs under the SME Proactive Programme will participate in the Manufacturing Expo 2014 in Vietnam from August 27 to 29.

From January to May 2014, the trade value between Thailand and Vietnam increased by 8% compared to 2013, totaling some US$10.4 billion. Thailand is the number one source for plastic resin in Vietnam with 10% import growth in 2014.

Issue 10: 18 Aug 2014

The Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association (TGJTA) and the DITP will hold the 54^th Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair (BGJF) from September 9 to 13 at the IMPACT Challenger Hall 1-3, Bangkok.

For the first time ever, the Thai Government has announced a Duty Free scheme for all gems and jewelry sold at the BGJF. All buyers and sellers are exempted from 20% gems and jewelry tax. The scheme aims to strengthen Thailand as the world’s gems and jewelry hub. The TGJTA is organising contests, special offers, business matching service and conducting seminars.

Historically, the bi-annual BGJF has been a huge success. Last year, the 51st BGJF attracted 30,000 visitors from 130 countries. And the 54th BGJF is expecting to attract more visitors. BGJF is considered the world’s fifth and Asia’s second largest trade show for the gems and jewelry industry.

For further information, please visit: www.bangkokgemsfair.com

Issue 10: 18 Aug 2014

The Department of Industrial Promotion (DIP), Ministry of Industry and Thailand Textile Institute, is promoting Thailand’s silk industry by continuing its Modern Thai Silk project throughout 2014. The aim of the project is to lift Thai silk products to the level of haute couture by using new innovations and technology.

The deputy director-general of the DIP, Sirirat Chitseree, says that the department has three key strategies for implementing the project. These are to add value to Thai silk through developing a strong identity, to create a guideline for modern Thai silk designs, and to make the trends in Thai silk match those on the world stage. The DIP hopes that this project will help raise the international recognition of Thai silk designers.

Elsewhere, the Thailand Textile Institute will take 50 Thai silk products to the Premier Vision 2014 fashion exhibition in Paris from September 16 to 18, in the hope that international brands will choose Thai silk as their preferred material for their 2016-2017 collections.

For more information, please visit: www.thaitextile.org

Issue 10: 18 Aug 2014

The Thailand Trade Office in Australia invited trade representatives from the Seafood Importers Association of Australia (SIAA) to visit the Kingdom’s seafood markets and prawn farms in July. The trip was to assure Australian buyers that Thailand has the capacity to develop its seafood industry and services, and is ready to become a regional hub for high quality food trade.

According to DITP director general Nuntawan Sakuntanaga, the Australian seafood market expanded by 17% from January to April 2014. She added that Australian buyers are very much interested in importing Thai canned and processed seafood for domestic consumption.

Elsewhere, a number of Thai companies signed an export deal with Australia’s number one retail supermarket chain, Woolworths. It is anticipated that Thailand’s exports to the Antipodean nation will increase threefold by this time next year to US$240 million.

For more information, visit: www.intertrademag.com

Issue 10: 18 Aug 2014

The Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (SACICT) is promoting its new brand, LUX by SACICT, to publicise Thailand’s high-end handicrafts, as well as the advanced techniques used by gold, silver and niello masters.

Launched on July 29, the project also encourages the creativity and application of technology, as seen in the beautiful combination of handicraft skills and modern gadgets such as iPhone cases or flash drives made from lacquerware, which helps pass on Thailand’s cultural heritage to a new generation.

LUX by SACICT is part of a four-year project to develop handicraft masterpieces. Pimpapaan Chansilpa, the director of SACICT, hopes it will remind Thai youths of the country’s proud heritage in developing traditional Thai handicrafts for the international market. The country’s handicraft exports are estimated at US$860 million for 2014. Chansilpa says that new products from LUX will be launched in September 2014.

To stay tuned, please visit: www.sacict.net

Issue 9: 4 Aug 2014

The DITP will hold Thailand Innovation and Design Expo (TIDE) 2014 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre from September 18 to 21.

Delegates will find innovations in eight sectors – agriculture, food & beverage, fashion, digital content, automotive, electronics, alternative energy, health & wellness, retail business, and construction. Highlights include the showcasing of Asia Talent 2014 and the
Design Zone. TIDE 2014 is part of Thailand’s progression towards a knowledge-based economy.

For further information, please visit: http://www.thailandinnodesign.com/