Thai trade fair showcases products in Vientiane
Thai trade fair showcases products in Vientiane
More than 170 exhibitors with 300 booths are taking part in the Thai Top Brands Exhibition on the 7th floor of ITECC Mall in Vientiane from June 29-July 3.
The trade fair organised by the Department of International Trade Promotion of the Thailand Ministry of Commerce together with the Trade Promotion, and Production Development Department of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce was launched on Wednesday with Thai brands keen to expand trade and looking for new opportunities in Laos.
Thai Minister Counsellor Commercial, Ms Pimol Pongkongkaew revealed at the event launch that the event aims to promote trade and investment between the two nations and build business networks.
It would encourage demand of good quality products and services while promoting their original trademarks and boosting sustainable trade between the two nations as part of the Asean Economic Community, she added.
Ms Pimol explained the Department of International Trade Promotion had been working in close cooperation with the three main business associations, namely the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Thai Industries and Thai National Shippers' Council, to select the best businesses and top quality products and services to present during the trade fair.
The trade fair features a combination of activities consisting of a presentation of Thai royal projects, cooking shows, massage and spa demonstrations, career training, live concert, arts performances, boxing, som-tum contest, and lucky draws sponsored by Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways and AirAsia.
According to a report by the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment, Laos' exports this year were expected to reach about US$2.1 billion. A large amount of those goods were destined to travel to Thailand or though Thai ports to consumers overseas.
Thailand and Laos had agreed to double their bilateral trade to US$8 billion by last year, up from a figure of US$4 billion in 2011. As of 2012 trade between the two countries was worth US$4.82 billion, up 23.82 percent from the previous year.
Thailand is Laos' top trading partner and a lifeline for vital imports such as finished oil, vehicles, machinery and steel. Likewise Laos exports a large amount of scrap metal, processed wood, fruit and vegetables to Thailand.
From 2008 to 2013 there were 290 Thai companies registered in Vientiane, and 145 companies registered in the provinces of Laos, Department of International Trade Promotion of Thailand reported.
