Issue 69

The DITP and Reed Tradex organised the TILOG-LOGISTIX 2017 trade fair from August 16 to 18 at BITEC Bangna, Bangkok with the aim of bringing together logistics service providers from countries around the globe as well as showing the capability of Thai logistics companies. 

About 415 leading brands in the logistics industry from 25 countries exhibited their logistics services and solutions. The show welcomed 7,525 entrepreneurs, logistics professionals, importers and exporters from many sectors across ASEAN+ 6 countries and beyond to engage in business discussions, witness the latest industry trends, and create a stronger logistics community. 

It is estimated that over US$9 million (300 million baht) of trade was generated by business negotiations at the fair.

Issue 69

 American consumers, and in particular the youth generation, are keen to purchase products made from natural ingredients, the Thai Trade Office in Miami reported on August 25. 

“Detox and antioxidant food and cosmetic products are popular among consumers in urban areas because they are exposed to chemicals and pollution in their daily life, and that may affect their health,” DITP Director-General, Malee Choklumlerd, said. “Now, consumers like to buy products with charcoal as an ingredient, as scientific research shows it helps detoxify the body. Turmeric has been gaining in popularity too.” 

According to the Ministry of Commerce (MoC), Thailand’s cosmetics exports to the US during the first seven months of this year amounted to US$21.9 million, an increase of 8.84% year-on-year.

Issue 69

The DITP, Thailand Smart Trade Center (TSTC) and JD.com, China’s second-largest e-commerce website, jointly held a seminar on Express to China E-commerce with JD.com on August 10 at the Ministry of Commerce Office in Nonthaburi. 

At the seminar, Thai SMEs gained knowledge on online trade in China, to help them reach their target consumers more effectively. The event also featured the launch of Thailand Pavilion, a special section on JD.com’s B2C e-commerce platform, which has proved popular in China, and was established by the DITP to help Thai exporters reach Chinese consumers directly. Products that are featured in the Thailand Pavilion include food, health and beauty, and lifestyle.

Issue 69

The Minister of Commerce (MoC) presented the 2017 Prime Minister’s Export Awards, or PM Awards, to 33 outstanding Thai exporters on August 30 at the Government House of Thailand.

Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha presided over the ceremony and presented the PM Awards to the top-performing exporters as selected by the DITP.

There were seven award categories this year: Best Exporter, Best Green Innovation, Best Thai Brand, Best Design, Best Service Enterprise, Best OTOP and Best Halal.

For more information, visit www.pm-award.com

Issue 69

Ten leading Thai lifestyle brands awarded the Thailand Trust Mark (T Mark) joined a workshop entitled Road to Shanghai, hosted by the DITP in Bangkok from August 23 to September 13.

“These brands plan to expand their businesses in China. By attending the workshop, they will get insight and advice, which could help them approach their target customers more effectively,” DITP Assistant Director-General, Kathathong Thongyai, said. “We hope they will enter the Chinese market in 2018.” 

The ten brands consisted of: DEESAWAT, PASAYA, 5ive SIS, Mobella, KENKOON (furniture and home decorations) I-SPA (bathroom design); PANPURI, Satira Spa (spa products); ASAVA (designer clothes); and LUCARIS (glass products).

The T Mark symbol guarantees a company’s environmental and social commitment, fair labour practices, and that its products are of the highest quality.

Issue 69

 The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) expects Thailand’s exports to grow by 5 to 6% in 2017, up from its original forecast of 5%. The country’s exports in the first seven months totalled US$130 billion, up 8.2% year-on-year, the highest growth in six years.

“In the last five months of this year, there are several positive factors supporting the country’s exports, including the recovering economies of the key trade partners, increasing global demand, and rising prices of agricultural and industrial products,” Pimchanok Vonkorpon, the Commerce Ministry’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office Director-General, said at a press conference on August 23.

“We will monitor other factors, including the movement of the baht, trade policies of major countries and interest rates to adjust our export promotion policies if needed.”