TCEB initiates collaboration through exhibition platform aiming to create long-term mutual economic benefits between Thailand and Indonesia
19th July 2011 – The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) organised a business forum entitled “Maximise Your Business Opportunity in ASEAN through Thailand’s Champion Trade Shows” aiming to attract Indonesian visitors at its five ‘champion’ trade shows being supported by the bureau. It aims to enhance awareness of business opportunities in Thailand and open the door to the ASEAN market through the country’s exhibition platform. On this occasion, Thailand and Indonesia saw agreements in exhibition industry with an aim to create long-term mutual economic benefits.
The symposium is part of TCEB’s support of Thailand’s exhibition industry under its ‘Better the Best’ campaign, which is being implemented for the second consecutive year. Aiming to emphasise the readiness of Thailand for ASEAN integration in 2015, the efficiency and capacity of the nation will be shown through the exhibition of “champion shows”.
Ms. Supawan Teerarat, Director of Exhibitions at TCEB said, “Last year, the Better the Best campaign successfully generated more than US$2,281 million in economic value through business negotiations concluded by participants of the events. This year, TCEB is continuing with the campaign and is providing maximum support to the five trade shows including Bangkok International Gift Fair & Bangkok International Houseware (BIG + BIH), METALEX, Propak Asia, Renewable Energy Asia and VIV Asia which have total trade value as high as US$146.8 million. Likewise, we also aggregate Thai Exhibition Association with ASPERAPI here today at the Forum with an aim to bridge and cultivate relationship with Indonesian association and business partners as well as to share knowledge and experience of development of exhibition industry in Thailand and region.”
Each show under Better the Best campaign is considered the crème-de-la-crème of its own industry and has already grown to become the regional leader in its category when considering the number of visitors, average fair size and average annual revenue it generates.
Indonesia ranks Thailand’s third largest trade partner in ASEAN and eighth largest trade partner in the world. Thailand’s total trade with Indonesia in 2010 was valued at US$ 13.02 billion, around 54 per cent increase from 2009. Indonesia is amongst the top five countries that send the highest number of visitors to attend the trade show in Thailand in 2010.
“With the economic integration and free-trade agreement expected to be completed in 2015 following the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), Thailand will be at its center to see the development of markets and expansion of the economy through exhibitions. This year, TCEB will direct the operation of Better the Best towards the initiation of deals between foreign buyers and exhibitors. To begin with, the ASEAN+6 countries will be targeted. The holding of events will definitely promote and increase trading potential and investment between Thailand and Indonesia through exhibitions that will eventually generate mutual growth for our industry,” added Ms. Supawan.
With TCEB as a facilitator, today Thailand and Indonesia see collaboration in exhibition industry with an aim to enhance long-term economic relationship between the two countries.Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Indonesia Exhibition Companies Association (ASPERAPI) and Thailand Exhibition Association (TEA) to establish business collaboration between Thailand and Indonesia’s exhibition industry.
Furthermore, in order to provide valuable experiences while attending Thailand’s trade shows, TCEB is offering visitors a promotion under the Extra Night, Extra Smile campaign. Visitors from Indonesia can enjoy one night complimentary stay at the trade show organizer’s appointed hotels when staying minimum of 2 nights to visit the show. Additionally, Thai International Airways, TCEB’s strategic partner, has also offered MICE promotion for Indonesian business travelers to visit the shows in Thailand. Other privileges in transportation, shopping and a line-up of entertainments throughout Bangkok are also in place to maximise exhibition visitors’ experiences in Thailand.
In addition, TCEB also introduced another marketing campaign called “100 A-HEAD”for travel agents, trade associations and Chambers of Commerce. TCEB will provide support of US$ 100 for bringing group of at least 15 visitors to attend trade exhibitions in Thailand. To apply for these two campaigns, please visit www.tceb.or.th/exhibitions
At present, Thailand’s exhibitions industry continues to lead rivals in ASEAN through its 80 events each year, ranking Thailand above competitors in the region. Thailand’s leadership of the ASEAN exhibitions industry also extends to other aspects, such as exhibition space, which combines to be up to 466,500 square meters each year, and average fair size, totaling approximately 6,220 square meters per exhibition.
