Thailand Exhibition to be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from October 3

The four-day solo country trade event is being organised by the Department of Export Promotion of Thailand (DEP) with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

This year's edition will feature over 300 exhibitors displaying a range of products including auto parts and accessories, fashion items, computers, toys, hardware and construction material, furniture, leather products and footwear, fresh flowers, medical equipment, stationary items, beauty products, electrical appliances, food products and beverages, and packaging material.

"With the passage of every year, the Thailand Exhibition has been growing in size, both in terms of number of participants as well as occupied space," said Mr. Mohammad Salem Al Mosharrekh, Board Member, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

"We expect the number of participants and visitors to increase in this edition. As in the past editions, exhibitors can expect to do brisk business in this one as well," he added.

Last year's Thailand Exhibition attracted 15,785 visitors from 58 countries.

"This exhibition continues its role as the region's most effective sourcing ground for new Thai products as well as a platform for Thai companies to launch themselves here," said Mr. Fasahat Ali Khan, Deputy Director General, Expo Centre Sharjah.

Besides focusing on the One Tambon One Product programme, which was launched three years ago to boost Thailand's cottage industry, this year's Show will attempt to highlight the Thailand Market Place (TMP), a new concept that will include 6 product categories.

"In accordance with the Thai Government's Policy of promoting Thai enterprises, the Thailand Market Place has been established as the first proactive all-in-one project designed to promote and distribute Thai products overseas," said Mr. Sutisak Laohachewin, Executive Director, Thai Trade Centre, Dubai.

"Utilising the full support of foreign partners and in this case partners in the Middle East region, Thai enterprises will be able to increase export of their products through the various channels of Thailand Market Place," he added.

The product categories included in the TMP are Kitchen Market Place (Thai Restaurant, Food, Kitchen utensils), Spa and Beauty Market Place (Health and Beauty services and related products), Fashion Market Place (Garment, Leather goods, Jewellery), Home Market Place (Construction materials, Furniture), Living Market Place (Household decorative items, OTOP), Auto Service Market Place (Auto parts and accessories, Garage services).

"Thailand market Place's key to success lies in the effective use of management skills in marketing Thai products, selecting the right markets, acquiring modern technologies, and providing support services for members such as training and workshops," said Mrs. Kanyarat Nongsakul, Director, DEP, Thailand.

"Equally important will be the selection and matching of foreign partners and Thai enterprises to successfully implement Thailand Market Place strategies," she added.

Also, the Thai Government would continue to utilize the Show for promoting its concept of health-tourism in the region. Thailand has over 600 hospitals and 400 medical facilities offering world-class treatment for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and cosmetic surgery.

Besides, the country is also famous for its age-old herbal and medical massages, spas and holistic treatments. The number of international patients visiting Thailand for medical treatment has registered a rise of 200%. Among this, a large number of patients are from the Middle East region including from countries like UAE, Kuwait, and Oman.

Trade between Thailand and the UAE has also been growing at a steady pace. During the period January-March 2004, Thai exports to the UAE touched US $ 222.9 million, up from US $ 181.5 million during the same period the previous year, an increase of 22.8%. Some of Thailand's main exports to the UAE are woven fabrics, air-conditioning, Television and its parts, motor cars and accessories, garments, computers and accessories, jewellery, footwear, home appliances, furniture, food items, rice machinery, fishing nets, electrical appliances, and cosmetics.

UAE's exports to Thailand too are on the rise. During the period January-March 2004, its exports amounted to US $ 692.7 million, up from US $ 584.3 million during the same period the previous year, an increase of 18.6%. UAE's main exports to Thailand are crude oil, chemicals, waste and scrap, jewellery including silver bars and gold, Benzine and similar oils for engines, fresh Cuttle fish and squid, and lubricating oil for hydraulic brakes.

"The Thailand exhibition is no doubt a very successful event. The increase in the size of the exhibition every year, the growth in bilateral trade between the UAE and Thailand, and the fact that the number of Thai companies making inroads in to the region is on the rise, are all indications that the Exhibition has been on the right track and continues to play an extremely pivotal role," said Mr. Fasahat Ali Khan.

The four-day event concludes on October 6, 2004. It will be open to trade visitors daily from 10 am to 1 pm and 4.30 pm to 9.30 pm.