Thai fashion and leather fair offers business opportunities for Pinoys
MANILA, Philippines - Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion has joined forces with 14 Thai fashion and leather associations to roll out the 33rd Bangkok International Fashion Fair and Bangkok International Leather Fair (BIFF and BIL) 2015.
A new concept aims to boost the event’s international exposure and hit its target groups with new designs and creative spirit. Exhibition zones are planned by an international expert team to help buyers make decisions and expand its target groups to give greater chances to business owners to extend their business ideas.
The textile, apparel and leather industry is key to Thailand’s exports. In the first half of 2014, the industry grew by 3.6 percent. Exports during the second half of 2014 are expected to rise by five percent from last year’s total exports recorded at US$9,680 million (about 304 billion million Baht). The department has therefore continued to support the industry. Adopting international standards to the exhibition is a key strategy to support business operators and provide opportunities for new and smaller exporters so that they can trade around the world without the cost of having to travel abroad.
Rachakorns Saksri, minister counselor of the Thai Trade Center, Manila, said that despite Thailand’s ongoing political unrest, the exhibition was successfully attended by 434 companies staging 717 booths. The number of buyers was larger than expected, and business operators received additional follow-on purchase orders.
On trade days, the event drew 6,602 visitors. The top five countries with the largest number of visitors were Japan, China, Singapore, the US, and South Korea. New markets farther away such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Venezuela were also interested in Thai fashion. The trade show also matched more than 150 business partners on trade values of more than 24 million Baht.
After the event, a total of 1,997 million Baht orders were made, or a 75.4-percent rise from 2013. The event stimulated the fashion industry among ASEAN countries, as part of the strategy to push Thailand to become a fully integrated center of raw materials, manufacturing, marketing, and trading of textile and leather goods in the region.
The Thailand government is inviting Filipino investors and visitors to come and visit the BIFF and BIL 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand, from March 11-15. Early registration is advised. For more details, contact tel. 894-0403, 894-0406, or email thaicommnl@pldtdsl.net.
