THAILAND'S FASHION AND LEATHER INDUSTRY TARGETS RM63.9 BILLION

By D. Arul Rajoo

BANGKOK, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- Thailand's exports in the fashion and leather
industry are expected to reach 620 billion baht (RM63.9 billion) in 2009, or a
three percent increase of last year's exports.

Its Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai said the steady growth reflected
Thailand's strength as the regional hub of fashion and leather industry.

Porntiva said that combined with the invigorating fashion industries in
other Asean member countries which complemented one another, the 10-member
regional grouping presented a new force in the global fashion arena.

"Asean has a very strong global potential. We are distinct in our
comprehensive supply from downstream to upstream industries, which shows in our
combined exports at US$850 billion," she said at the opening of the Bangkok
International Fashion Fair and Bangkok International Leather Fair 2009 here
Thursday.

Economic and trade ministers from Asean, who are here for the 41st Asean
Economic Ministers Meeting (AEM) beginning Thursday, also attended the launching
where models paraded the latest designs from all the 10 countries.

International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed is representing
Malaysia at the four-day meeting.

About 600 companies are taking part in the fairs.
-- BERNAMA