The Hindu Business Line : Bangkok calling

“The bureau has formulated a policy to provide financial assistance and subsidies to the organisers, and other support such as logistics and custom clearance.”

Richa Mishra

Swadee! Welcome to ‘Thailand, One Place, Every Possibility’.

And that’s what Thailand, after firmly establishing itself as a tourist destination, is telling the business community. Projecting the destination as a gateway to India-China, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has charted out an aggressive policy to make Bangkok the ASEAN’s exhibition hub.

In order to attract more Indian participation, the TCEB plans to give subsidy to Indian exhibitors and pavilions for holding trade fairs in that country. TCEB President Natwut Amornvivat said, “The bureau has formulated a policy to provide financial assistance and subsidies to the organisers and support such as logistics and custom clearance among others.”

Sectors in focus

The Indian sectors in TCEB’s focus are electronics and IT, gems and jewellery, auto parts, plastics and rubbers, textiles and garments, and beauty spa and wellness. Thailand would also offer the exhibitors the opportunity to spread businesses in all the 11 member countries of the ASEAN.

On comparisons between India and China, Amornvivat says,“We see potential in both India and China, which are recognising Thailand as a trading centre and gateway to Southeast Asia.” Recently, the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) had organised a four-day ‘India Fair 2008’ in Bangkok. Many Indian companies with business interest in Thailand participated, including Aditya Birla group of companies, Thailand; Indorama Ventures; NIIT, Tata, and Videocon Industries.

Trade growth

In recent years there has been a rapid increase in trade and investment between Indian and Thai companies, with trade multiplying five times since 2000. TCEB expects 9,47,600 business visitors by 2008, generating revenues of about $2 billion for the next fiscal. The bureau has to work on policies and standards of MICE in Thailand, as well as play host for international events, Amornvivat added.

The six major exhibition and convention centres in Thailand are IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Centre, Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC), The Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, Central World Convention and Exhibition Centre, Royal Paragon Hall at Siam Paragon, and Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall (PEACH).

Thailand’s exhibition industry saw a 10-15 per cent growth in 2007 with Bangkok hosting over 100 international and regional events. It is expected to host 112 events in 2008.

A marketing initiative — ‘Thanks a Million’ cash incentive — has also been announced to encourage more international convention organisers and trade associations to hold their events in Thailand.

The forthcoming events to be held this year include the ITU Telecom Asia 2008 and Asia’s largest industrial machinery trade show, Metalex, scheduled for November. TCEB has also won bids for the 24th Pacific Insurance Conference, Energy 2010, ASEAN Energy Business Forum, Round-table World Council Meeting, Asia Pacific Federation of HRM Congress 2009 and the International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA) Annual Conference

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