The Commerce Ministry is optimistic that the just opened Bangkok International Gift Fair and Bangkok International Houseware Fair will generate TBH300 million in sales.
Deputy Minister Poom Sarapol presided over the opening ceremony of the six-day event on Tuesday at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC), Bangna. He noted that the lifestyle products industry continues to grow each year and bring in revenue for Thailand.
Minister Poom identified Britain, Germany, the United States and Japan as the country’s primary trading partners. The initial round of the BIG & BIH October 2012 will be for for business partners’ negotiations. The exhibit grounds will be open for the public on Saturday and Sunday Oct 20-21.
Over 600 international entrepreneurs have signed up for this year’s exhibit. The Commerce Ministry has projected a headcount of 100,000 local and foreign visitors who will be shopping for gifts and home decor items.
Mr Poom adds that plans to establish an ASEAN gift association is in the works. This will be a joint venture between the Thai Gifts Premiums & Decorative Association, Malaysian Gifts & Premium Entrepreneurs Association and the Gifts Association Singapore. The group’s objective is to foster higher trade value among the member countries and given them bargaining leverage with other countries outside the ASEAN.
The Commerce official says, seven other ASEAN nations are expected to become part of the group by next year, MCOT reported.
