9th Thailand Exhibition inaugurated at Expo Centre Sharjah

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Mr. Mohammed Salem Al Mosharrekh - Board Member (SCCI), Mr. Fasahat Ali Khan - Acting Director General of Expo Centre Sharjah, Mr. Sutisak Laohachewin, Executive Director - Thai Trade Centre in UAE (Department of Export Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, Thailand), members of a high ranking delegation from Thailand, directors of various government departments, and members of the diplomatic corps and trade associations.

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

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Midfa said: 'This exhibition is Thailand's biggest exhibition in the region. Not only that, after 9 successful editions, this exhibition continues to be the most sought after platform in the Middle East for sourcing of Thai products.'

'The Thailand Exhibition in Sharjah is a clear projection of the growing trade ties between UAE and Thailand. With the passage of every edition, the number of trade visitors from across the Middle East to the event has been growing - a clear indication of the growing interest in Thai products in the region,' he added.

This year's edition will feature 135 exhibitors displaying a range of products including fashion items, computers, toys, hardware and construction material, furniture, leather products and footwear, fresh flowers, medical equipment, stationary items, beauty products, electrical appliances, agricultural products and packaging material.

Already, over 1,100 trade visitors have pre-registered for the exhibition. A majority of them are from Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, India, Iran, Kenya, Syria, Yemen, Libya, and the UAE.

'Our Government's policy is to utilize the Thailand Exhibition to enter the Middle East market. This edition of the Thailand Exhibition is different in many respects compared to the last edition. This year we are highlighting our health services,' said Mr. Sutisak Laohachewin, Executive Director, Thai Trade Centre in Dubai.

'Thailand has over 600 hospitals and 400 medical facilities offering world-class treatment for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and cosmetic surgery, many of which are participating in the exhibition. We are trying to attract patients from the Middle East not on the basis of cost but the world class facilities that these hospitals offer,' he added.

Besides health services, the other major area of focus at this year's Thailand Exhibition are the construction sector including interior designing and the One Tambon One Product programme (OTOP).

'The OTOP was launched three years ago to boost Thailand's cottage industry,' said Mr. Boon Intiratana, Director, Office of Special Task Force (STF) at the Thai Ministry of Commerce's Department of Export Promotion.

'Under OTOP each village presents one particular product. This year we have brought 3 provinces of Thailand. The products presented under OTOP this edition are different compared to the last edition,' he added.

Trade between Thailand and the UAE has also been growing at a steady pace. During the period January-August 2004, Thai exports to the UAE touched US $ 618.39 million, up from US $ 497.77 million, during the same period the previous year, an increase of 24.2%.

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-August 2004, its exports amounted to US $ 2,203.43 million, up from US $ 1,291.41 million during the same period the previous year, an increase of 70.6 %. 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.

'Demand for Thai products and services are on the rise in the Middle East. This is because of both superior quality and affordability of Thai products and services,' said Mr. Fasahat Ali Khan, Acting Director General, Expo Centre Sharjah.

'The Thailand exhibition in Sharjah is preferred by companies in the region as a platform for sourcing their requirements for Thai products and services because of the advantages that Sharjah offers in terms of strategic location, business friendly environment, high class infrastructure and good logistical support,' he added.

Mr. Khan further said that the exhibition was instrumental in boosting trade ties between Thailand and UAE in general and Sharjah in particular.

The Thailand Exhibition concludes on October 6, 2004. It is open to trade visitors from October 3 -5, 2004, from 10 am to 1 pm and 4.30 pm to 8.30 pm, and on October 6, 2004, to general public and trade visitors from 10 am to 1 pm and 4.30 pm to 8.30 pm. Children are strictly not permitted even in the boulevard on all days including Oct 6, 2004.