World Expo 2020 Pavilion promotes Thailand as destination for investment and MICE events, and confirms Thailand’s potential to host World EXPO 2020
Bangkok: August 2011 – Thailand’s BOI Fair 2011 will showcase the latest technologies of the future, and also features a summit of over 300 business leaders from around the world, including international organizations such as UNCTAD and ASEAN. Participants attending the CEO FORUM will discuss the investment environment in Thailand and opportunities in the new global landscape. Also, at this year’s BOI Fair, the EXPO 2020 Pavilion will serve as a springboard to launch further developments in Thailand’s bid to host the World Expo 2020. The pavilion will help raise awareness and mobilize public participation in bringing this mega-event to Thailand.
Announcing the BOI Fair 2011 “Going Green for the Future”, Dr. Atchaka Sribunrueang, Secretary-General of Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI), revealed that the event – to be held on 10-25 November 2011 at Impact Muang Thong Thani – will be a joint effort between the BOI and the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). TCEB is the main state agency responsible for promoting Thailand’s international conference industry. The two agencies have joined hands to convene the CEO Forum on 10 November 2011, the opening day of the BOI Fair 2011.
This year’s CEO Forum for business leaders from around the world is considered as the flagship event of the BOI Fair 2011. Apart from its importance in facilitating dialogue and building linkages among business and government leaders, the event offers a superb opportunity for the government to build investor confidence both domestically and internationally. In particular, the CEO Forum and the “Going Green for the Future” theme of the BOI Fair are expected to stimulate increased FDI flows into Thailand, especially in sectors contributing to sustainable development.
Keynote speakers at the CEO Forum will include leaders of international organizations and top executives from Thailand’s leading companies and multinational corporations, including Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary General of UNCTAD; executives from Minebea Group of Companies, Japan; Dow Chemical Co. (USA) as well as Mr. Karn Trakunhun, President of the Siam Cement Group; senior representatives of companies investing in Thailand, and many leading banks.
In addition, BOI will organize an Honorary Investment Advisor (HIA) meeting for the first time, to be held on 9 November 2011. This will serve as a forum for Thailand’s government leaders to discuss BOI’s 5-year investment promotion strategy with renowned global experts.
Mr. Akapol Sorasuchart, President of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization), said, “TCEB is delighted to join the BOI in organizing this HIA meeting and CEO Forum as part of our mission to promote the hosting of international MICE events by our public sector. It is also one of the major objectives of TCEB’s “Believe in Thailand” campaign, which was launched last year. TCEB joined with BOI in creating a forum for the world’s top corporate executives and foreign investors to meet with government leaders, policymakers and leaders of Thailand’s private sector. In addition to promoting investment in Thailand, the event represents an important opportunity to build investor confidence. The world’s top executives will see for themselves Thailand’s potential and readiness as an ideal destination for international MICE events.”
Thailand is an ideal MICE destination for four main reasons: – 1) Thailand’s long and successful track record and strong professional expertise in organizing world-class MICE business events; 2) Superb infrastructure, accommodation and facilities; 3) A diverse choice of event venues in major cities (including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya and Cha-am), and the exclusive attractions of Khao Yai, Hat Yai, Samui, and Kanchanaburi; and 4) a wide range of business opportunities creating additional added value and investment.
As co-organizer of the HIA Meeting and CEO Forum, TCEB has provided funding for the meeting, including speaker fees, and will also host a number of other major activities, such as luncheon and a reception dinner for 300 top executives and investors both from Thailand and from around the world. Also, TCEB’s marketing strategy will focus on participants at the event in order to build investor confidence and attract corporate MICE events from around the world to Thailand. It is also an opportunity to present Thailand to global CEOs through TCEB’s plans for promotional activities, such as roadshows and familiarization trips.
Mr Akapol added, “The highlight of the 2011 BOI Fair is the launch of the EXPO 2020 Pavilion. The aim is to showcase Thailand’s candidacy to host the World Expo 2020 mega-event to the public. Under the theme ‘Redefine Globalisation – Balanced Life, Sustainable Living’, the 2,000m2 Pavilion will offer an overview of the World Expo event itself, as well as Thailand’s history with the World Expo 2020, and a launch of the concept masterplan. The event will feature a ‘nightshow’ with spectacular special effects every evening. We anticipate the Pavilion will attract over 107,000 visitors over the 16 days of the event.
TCEB has also extended an invitation to Mr. Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales, Secretary General of the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE), Paris. Mr. Loscertales will join the evening welcome banquet on 9 November, and will deliver a special keynote address on the topic “Innovation, Economic Impact and Investment Opportunities from the World Expo” to the audience of senior executives that will join the CEO Forum, including leaders of the Board of Trade, Federation of Thai Industries, members of the Thai Chambers of Commerce, and the Stock Exchange of Thailand. TCEB has also invited Mr. Loscertales to preside over the official opening of the EXPO 2020 Pavilion. As part of the itinerary for Mr. Loscertales’ visit to Thailand, TCEB has also organized a visit to Ayutthaya, the proposed host of the Expo 2020, in order to experience the Loy Krathong celebration and see the province’s potential and readiness to host the World EXPO 2020, on 10 November. Mr. Loscertales will also meet with representatives of the new government.
“The EXPO 2020 Pavilion is the perfect springboard to announce Thailand’s readiness to host the World Expo 2020 to a global audience of very high caliber. It is also a chance to establish the World Expo 2020 as not only a part of the national agenda for our government, but also as a part of the hearts and minds of all Thai people. The Expo 2020 must be an Expo that belongs to the people. Right now, we feel that Thailand has a good chance of winning this bid to host the event, especially if we work together. In particular, we have very strong government backing, and, compared to the other countries who have declared their intention to bid, we have made excellent progress,” Mr. Akapol concluded.
The BOI Fair 2011 will take place from 10-25 November 2011 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani. The CEO Forum will be held on 10 November at the Diamond Ballroom, Hall 9, whilst the EXPO 2020 Pavilion will be situated next to the lake at No. P 71-74. The TCEB exhibition booth will be located in Challenger Hall 2, where TCEB’s activities and Thailand’s MICE Industry will be showcased in a 500m2 exhibition booth. The booth will feature TCEB’s key strategies and initiatives, including promotion of domestic MICE events (D-MICE), Creative MICE, and including the full range of support services that TCEB offers to the MICE industry in Thailand.
