TCEB marks an incensement of two-way trade volume with exhibition platform

Hanoi/ 30 June 2010 – The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau has signed a wide-ranging MOU with The Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE). The MOU prepares the way for established a long-term strategic partnership in order to enhance cooperation between the two countries in MICE industry in terms of facilitate to develop two-way exhibition industries, conduct market survey in ASEAN region, provide support to ensure the success of the exhibitions and exchange exhibitions information and support.

The MOU was signed on 30 June by Do Thanh Hai, Director General of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency and Supawan Teerarat, Exhibition Director of TCEB. The move follows a visit by Thai PM Abhisit to the World Economic Forum on East Asia in Ho Chi Minh City on 6 June.

Speaking in the MOU Signing Ceremony, Mrs Supawan Teerarat, Exhibition Director of TCEB disclosed: “Thailand’s relationship with Vietnam remains close and share many similarities. There are many trade benefits to both sides if we cooperate and trade more with each other. The fundamentals of Thailand’s economy remain strong with positive outlook; nothing particularly from the first quarter GDP growth, which was a robust 12 percent. Definitely we are looking forward to see this fruitful business relationship blossoming further for Vietnam and Thailand”

According to the Royal Thai Ministry of Commerce, economic co-operation between the two nations is rising. Bilateral trade is expected to reach US$10 billion this year up from US$6.1 billion in 2009. Thai exports to Vietnam currently account for about 72% of the trade volume.

Mr Do Thanh Hai Director General of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency, said: “within ASEAN, Thailand is ranked third after Malaysia and Singapore for amount of trade with Vietnam. Vietnam is expected to record around 7 % GDP growth this year compared to Thailand’s 6%. In addition, with this MOU agreement, the bilateral relation between Vietnam and Thailand are expected turn out to be stronger as well as expand the growth rate in 2010 by the exhibition platform.”

In 2009, Thai investor were the eighth largest investor group in Vietnam, up from 12^th position in 2006. According to the Thai government statistics, there are 216 investment projects, on going or in the pipeline, that are being undertaken by 25 Thai companies in Vietnam.

According to statistics from the Office of Tourism Development, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Vietnamese visitors to Thailand grew from 338,303 in 2008 to 362,025 in 2009 while the MICE sector earned 13 percent of total visitors.

“Thailand and Vietnam are active ASEAN members. We are both committed to achieve a large measure of economic integration within ASEAN,” said Mr Do Thanh Hai. “This MOU is the latest in a series of commitments that will help both Thailand and Vietnam move closer towards economic integration within the ASEAN family throughout the exhibition platform.”

Apart from the bilateral relationships, Mrs. Supawan Teerarat, TCEB’s Exhibition Director revealed on the current situation of Thailand’s exhibition industry that “Recent political tension did not pose any lasting impact on Thailand’s exhibition industry. Despite the fact that one trade show was called off, quite a number of international exhibitions, such as Intermach 2010 and Propak Asia 2010, confirmed their participation during the turbulent period. Some decided to postpone their events to appropriate timing in June – July, including Asian Paper 2010 and ThaiFex - World of Food Asia 2010, while Renewable Energy Asia 2010 will be held in September respectively. This could be the best vote of confidence coming from the industry itself that Thailand is still indeed the marketplace and trading platform of choice for international exhibitions in the region.”

In order to restore the country’s confidence and the number of Vietnamese business travellers, TCEB is currently offering one free night and extra privileges for Vietnamese and other nationals attending trade shows in Thailand. TCEB’s “Extra Night, Extra Smile” campaign gives qualifying trade show visitors a third night hotel stays for free when staying two nights at participating hotels. Other privileges such as fast track clearance at the Bangkok international airport and discounts on BTS Skytrain and discounted international phone calls are part of “Extra Night, Extra Smile” campaign.

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Media Enquiries
Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization)
Mr Sumet Kanchanapan:
TEL: +662-694-6096 or +668-9-214-5141
Email: sumet_k@tceb.or.th