Thailand
Thailand: Style trade show begins at Bitec
Style, the region’s most comprehensive lifestyle trade show, is expected to draw more than 60,000 buyers and promote Thailand as a regional hub of the lifestyle industry.
The fair comprises three events: the Bangkok International Fashion Fair and Bangkok International Leather Fair; the Bangkok International Gift Fair and Bangkok International Houseware Fair; and the Thailand International Furniture Fair.
The fair is hosted by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) in concert with 24 related associations, with more than 1,000 local and international entrepreneurs spread across 2,000 sales booths on 40,000 square metres at Bitec Bangna.
The event, which began yesterday and runs through Saturday, is expected to generate 2 billion baht worth of transactions.
The fair is open to traders from 10am to 6pm through Thursday and to the general public from 10am to 9pm on Friday and Saturday.
Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn, who yesterday presided over the opening ceremony of Style, said the lifestyle industry is a vital segment of the country’s economy.
“It is an integrated industry that comprises a lot of SMEs, 90% of which are startups,” she said.
Moving forward, the lifestyle industry is expected to generate over a million jobs and be a significant factor in the local economy.
The lifestyle sector is an essential component of Creative Thailand, a state effort to move the country towards a more value-based economy.
“DITP believes Style can accommodate the needs and demands of buyers, importers, real estate developers, buying agents, designers, interior designers, and local and international shopping malls, as well as inspire them to develop their creativity into tangible products,” said department director-general Chantira Jimreivat Vivatrat.
Fashion and lifestyle exports in 2016 had an approximate value of US$11.26 billion (377 billion baht) and represented 5% of Thailand’s overall export value.
During the first eight months of 2017, fashion export value reached $7.6 billion. This was a slightly higher figure than that predicted by DITP, which estimated that fashion exports would reach $11 billion by the end of 2017, a 3% increase year-on-year.
Specialised services offered during Style will include business-matching services at Buyer Lounge; interpreters of various languages, including English, Chinese and Japanese; a DITP service centre that combines all DITP services in one spot; and an on-premises logistics consultant to ease transport of goods.
Fashion buffs interested in Style should keep an eye on Trend Forum 2018 and the Qurated Fashion Incubation Project.
DITP is also teaming up with the Chaipattana Foundation to host an exhibition in honour and remembrance of the late King, including workshops on funerary flower-making for the royal cremation.
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/1344402/style-trade-show-begins-at-bitec