Off the wire
• China, Uruguay vow to expand trade, investment cooperation  • Int'l trade fair to be held in Vietnam's HCM City  • South African Airways bans Samsung Galaxy Note 7  • Immigrants in Madrid end attempted breakout after 12 hours  • WTO upholds China's principal claims against U.S. anti-dumping rules  • Oil station fire kills 1 at Saudi  • Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, Oct. 19  • Interview: China manages to keep economic growth dynamics: Russian expert  • Senior Chinese official welcomes more cooperation with Arkansas  • 1st LD Writethru: Russia to extend humanitarian pause for three hours  
You are here: 　 Home

Thailand holds expo to showcase local wisdom and creativity

Xinhua, October 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

Thailand Wednesday launched Thai lifestyle product expo as a showcase of the country's creative economy concept to boost startup and new businesses.

As an event of the "Creative Thailand 2016" campaign, the Bangkok International Gift Fair 2016 and Bangkok International Houseware Fair 2016(BIG + BIH) is being held during Oct.19 to 23.

Despite displaying innovative products aimed at environmental conservation and use of agricultural byproducts, the event also provides a business and financial consulting service for people starting up new ventures.

Somkid Jatusripitak, deputy prime minister in charge of the country's economy, said the event is accepted as the largest international lifestyle products trade negotiation platform in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which will reinforce Thailand's significance as a hub for trade and creativity.

He said Thailand has been trying to build a cluster to facilitate and open business opportunities for those who dare to "think big". This event is aimed at starting this drive to promote cultural and creative industries with high value to the nation and to build links between the public and private sector, which is in line with the country's 20-year reform program known as Thailand 4.0 policy.

The event attracts 60,000 buyers worldwide, targeting to generate a purchase-sales value of more than 1,500 million baht, increasing from 1,300 million baht and 57,000 visitors during the previous year.

2016 marks the 42nd year of the event, gathering more than 500 companies and 1,300 booths displaying innovative Thai-style product combined with local wisdom over an area of more than 40,000 square meters.

Thailand 4.0 policy is cited by Thai prime minister Prayut-chan-o-cha as the new direction of the country, to be conducted along with economic reform. It will be a new economic model to develop Thailand into a valued-based economy, which will change the country's traditional farming, small and medium enterprises as well as traditional services to smart farming, smart enterprises, and high-value services. Endit