Filipino businesses can maximize their reach at regional and sub regional levels through Thailand international exhibitions
Manila, 23 July 2012 – Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau or TCEB has recently hosted a business matching for key trade and business figures in Philippines and international trade show organizers from Thailand. This is a part of its mission to promote the country’s trade show industry as strategic regional connectivity to ASEAN and the proximity to Greater Mekong Sub-Region.
A business forum: Thailand International Exhibition…Business Success for ASEAN Market was well attended by senior executives from government trade associations, travel agencies, trade promoters, exchanging information on how Thailand can be a prospect of business connectivity center by leveraging on its vibrant exhibition platform.
Thailand’s exhibition industry marks the highest growth in ASEAN at 70% growth rate annually in terms of event space sold and the top 10 visitors and exhibitors are from ASEAN countries. The country has been taking the lead in the region in terms of number of trade fairs identified, estimated annual size, average size per fair and estimated annual revenue. On top of the benefits of being a center of ASEAN that Thailand shares with Philippines, Thailand provides easy access to Greater Mekong Sub-Region, including Yunnan (Southern China), Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam which are considered emerging markets within ASEAN region.
According to the latest statistics compiled by UFI, the exhibitions industry of Thailand continues to lead rivals in ASEAN with total of value of 132 million US dollars gained through 75 events, putting Thailand above competitors in the region. Furthermore, Thailand has maintained the leadership in the exhibitions industry of ASEAN in other aspects, such as the exhibition space totaling up to 432,500 square meters each year, as well as having eight well-equipped exhibition venues which are well-recognised by UFI.
Philippines is considered one of the priority countries for Thailand because of the long-established trade relations and growing trade volume between the two countries, which amounted to US$ 7.34 billion in 2011, an increase of 1.12 percent over 2010. The Philippines ranks the fifth among other Asian nations in terms of number of visitors attending Thailand’s exhibitions. Filipino visitors accounted for 7.5 percent of total overseas visitors attending Thailand’s exhibitions in 2011.
“With the rise of ASEAN Economic Community, exhibition platform in Thailand will help businesses capture the full potential of the region. Many international trade shows have chosen Thailand as their home because they realize the market potential both locally and regionally and Thailand is located in the strategic location that allow them to reach out to the surrounding markets, especially the emerging market of Greater Mekong Sub-Region. As such, the participation in trade shows organized in Thailand will bring not only the networking opportunities with Thai businessmen but also with regional stakeholders at both government-to-government and business-to-business level. This will open up Filipino businesses to increase their trading value through Thailand’s exhibition platform”,said Mrs. Supawan Teerarat, Director of Exhibition Department of TCEB.
With the underlining of 5 real demand sectors of ASEAN including Transport, ICT, Energy, Education and Culture, and Tourism, these have nurtured Thailand’s competitive advantage on its key highlight industries. Thailand’s 8 key highlight industries comprise of automobile and machinery, food and agriculture, tourism, medical industry, Jewelry, Garment and Textile, Energy, and Infrastructure. These are the fundamental industries that drive the nation’s economy where International Trade Shows being held in Thailand are the key driver.
“At our Business Forum on 19 July in Manila, TCEB will be accompanied by some of the leading trade show organizers from Thailand which organize many different highlighted international exhibitions including Reed Tradex Company, Techno Biz, N.C.C. Exhibition Organizer, VNU Exhibition Asia-Pacific, Reed Exhibitions and Bangkok Exhibition Services. We believe that the Panel Discussion at Business Forum with these top-tier organizers will provide best advantage to Philippines businessmen, associations, federations who are looking for business expansion through Thailand’s exhibition platform,” added Mrs. Supawan.
Thailand is home to a wide range of international trade shows where some are the flagship trade shows in ASEAN. These trade shows also serve as trading market place of the Thailand’s key 4 industries and respond to ASEAN market demand, especially in the emerging market of Greater Mekong Sub-Region. The trade shows include Metalex and Rubber Technology Expo for the automobile industry; Food & Hotel Thailand, Propak Asia, Horti Asia, VIV Asia and Agro-Industry Tech for the food and agriculture industry; Thailand Travel & Dive Expo for the tourism industry; Thailand Lab, Pet-Vet Asia Expo and In-Cosmetic for the medical industry.
“All trade shows under these 4 industries will be a good platform for the Philippines in 3 key areas: for exploring new business opportunities, for increasing trading value, and for prospective mutual benefit in the future. Moreover, TCEB also has prepared a special incentive programme, 100 A-HEAD, for Filipino trade promoters. 100-A-HEAD programme will give a group visitor promoter (travel agents, International associations or chambers of commerce) US$100 for every delegate visiting Thailand when they bring at least qualified 15 people for a minimum stay of 3 days and 2 nights and the “Be My Guest” Buyer’ s appreciation program, which offers complimentary accommodation to key buyers only from around the world concluded Mrs. Supawan
Filipino businesses should look no further when considering extending their reach in ASEAN and GMS. Thailand is well equipped with many different factors that help shape the country to be one of the top-of-mind exhibition destinations in Asia. It is located in the heart of South East Asia and accessible to the rest of Asia.Thailand possesses world-class facilities and event venues, transportation infrastructure with more than 500 international flights per week to 191 major cities around the world plus airport-to-city linkage, good-value-for-money in business and leisure, professional service with Thai hospitality and the ease of doing business.
In 2012, Thailand is expected to welcome approximately 750,000 MICE visitors to the country, generating expected revenues of 1,940 million US dollars whereby accumulated to exhibitions and trade fairs of 80,000 visitors, generating expected revenues of 255 million US dollars.
