ThaiFEX 2016 expected to generate at least Bt8b revenues

BANGKOK, February 23 (TNA) - More than 1,800 global food producing firms will participate in the ThaiFEX–World of Food Asia 2016, set to be held at the IMPACT Trade and Exhibition Centre in Muang Thong Thani on the outskirts of Bangkok from May 25-29, expected to generate at least 8 billion baht of revenues. Vice Minister for Commerce Winitchai Jamjang announced the projection at a press conference held in Bangkok on Tuesday, saying that the event is aimed at further developing and promoting Thai agricultural products and food globally. Winitchai revealed that some 1,800 food firms from 40 countries, including the Thai ones, will participate in the event, while about 150,000 people from several countries are expected to visit the fair. Besides, it is projected that more than 1.5 billion baht worth of goods will be sold at the fair, while additional 7 billion baht worth of goods should be ordered within one year. According to the vice minister, the fair will be organised jointly by his ministry’s Department of International Trade Promotion, the Thai Chamber of Commerce and a foreign private company, named KoeInmesse Pte Ltd. The vice minister noted that the ThaiFEX–World of Food Asia 2016 will be divided into two phases, the first of which, set during May 25-27, will be organised for business talks, while the other, set during May 28-29, will be opened for retail to serve international consumers. Michael Dreyer, Vice President of KoeInmesse Pte Ltd. for Asia-Pacific, told the press conference that highlights of the event include international food meetings, called the "World of Food Safety" and the "Asian Food Franchise", plus a food competition, called the "Thailand Ultimate Chef Challenge", in which outstanding chefs from the ASEAN Community (AC) will join. Meanwhile, the value of Thai food exports stood about 24.4 billion US dollars in 2015, most of which were shipped to other fellow member countries in AC, China and the Middle East. (TNA)