15 December 2015 / Bangkok – In response to the government policy on the National Strategy and Development Plan, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) moves forward to elaborate Thailand’s service sector by enhancing the country’s exhibition’s industry competitiveness and reinforcing the industry as the vital platform to expand trade and investment nationwide. TCEB has won to host “UFI Open Seminar in Asia 2016” which is projected to be held in Chiang Mai during 25-26 February 2016. The aim of hosting this regional event is to strengthen the capability of local exhibition professional and to underline Chaing Mai as a gateway to GMS market.
Speaking at the press conference, Mr. Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, the President of TCEB revealed that, “To host this UFI Open Seminar in Asia 2016 in Chaing Mai will stress the capability and standard while improving efficiency and competitiveness of the local exhibition professionals. As part of the service sector, the business events is the crucial sectors that drive growth to the national economy. The service sector, today, is ranked the highest value to the country’s GDP and is liberalised under the AFAS or ASEAN Frameworks Agreement on Service. Therefore, the exhibition industry will not only sustain the growth of the country’s trade and investment, but it further expands trade and investment to the country’s regional area.
TCEB has set it strategies to bolster Thailand’s exhibition industry by in lining with the government policy to promote the service sector as well as spread trade and investment to region. According to the plan, the bureau will foster the exhibition and trade fairs as the platform to reinforce trade and investment in potential cities such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, Songkla, Khon Kaen. This is to drive Thailand towards to become a high-income country with a fair income distribution and a centre of trade and services in the region (Trading and Service Nation).
“Chiang Mai is not only one of the bureau’s appointed five MICE City, but it is also the hub of trade and investment of the northern region as well as be a gateway to GMS market. In 2010, TCEB hosted the UFI Open Seminar in Asia in Bangkok and obtained a great success. TCEB, thus, drive to conduct this significant regional event again in 2016 in response to the government policy and reinforce the key parties in Chiang Mia including business professionals, trade association, to forge the exhibition and trade fairs as the platform to reinforce trade and investment in the province and the region,” Mr. Nopparat said.
Mr. Mark Cochrane, Regional Manager, Asia Pacific, UFI commented, “Thailand's exhibition industry has grown steadily well ahead of the Asian average over the past five years. The ASEAN trade fair industry will serve to bolster the economic growth of Thailand and Southeast Asia. We are pleased to bring this important event, UFI’s second largest event, to Chiang Mai since this city shows strong potential to mature into an important trade fair market serving Thailand as well as neighbouring markets.
The UFI Open Seminar in Asia 2016 will be held between the 25-26 February 2016 in Chiang Mai under the topic of “Digital Disruption” which reflects the roles and impact of digital marketing and how it will change business practices in the future for the international exhibition industry. The event features seminars on interested topic such as The Outlook of ASEAN Exhibition Market, Digital Trends Shaping Events, Assessing the Impact of Digital Disruption, Mobile Marketing Trend.
Mrs. Prapee Buri, President of the Thai Exhibition Association (TEA) stated the importance of this regional event that, “The UFI Open Seminar in Asia 2016 will enhance the efficiency and capability to local professional which will build to bridge in business connection, link to global standard and share the industry’s knowledge. In addition, to host this regional event in Chiang Mai will recognise for its continual development and sustainable growth of the country’s service sectors. Those of interested TEA member should further direct contact the TEA for special support and subsidy.”
The UFI Open Seminar in Asia 2016 event will underline the capability and competitiveness of Chiang Mai to host international business events and trade fairs as well as further broaden trade and investment nationwide followed the government policy. In addition, this regional event will build in bridge the global business connection to the local professional an reinforce Thailand’s image and reputation as a hub of ASEAN trade fair and exhibition industry and one of the leading destination in Asia,” Nopparat concludes.
Lastly, TCEB expects 5% growth of business events in 2016, Thailand is expect to host 1,060,000 international business travellers, generating a total of 92 billion baht. Within the number, the exhibition industry will share 17% or welcome around 191,000 international exhibition delegates with 15.65 billion baht in accounted.
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For further information, please contact: Corporate Communications Division,
Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization)
Ms Arisara Thanuplang Tel: +66 2 694 6095 Email: arisara_t@tceb.or.th
Ms Kanokwan Kadeedang Tel: + 662 694 6006 Email: kanokwan_k@tceb.or.th
Ms Kwanchanok Otton Tel: + 662 694 6096 Email: kwanchanok_o@tceb.or.th
Ms Paniyada Mulalin Tel: + 662 694 6091 Email: Paniyada_m@tceb.or.th
SOURCE / TCEB
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