TCEB reignites Vietnamese partnership as it takes ‘Thailand Extra Exhibition’ campaign to Ho Chi Minh City

30 May 2016 / Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is heading to Vietnam to consolidate interest in Thailand among Vietnamese businesses and associations.

The meeting will capitalise on the 2010 Memorandum of Understanding struck between TCEB and its Vietnamese counterpart Vietrade, an agreement to generate mutually beneficial promotion and collaboration between the two organisations.

This new mission by TCEB will focus on getting the most from trade fairs and venues in both countries. It is also expected to encourage trading activity between the countries, and the rest of ASEAN through Thailand's globally renowned reputation as a platform for international trade exhibitions.

Both Thailand and Vietnam’s trade connections with other countries in the region have expanded as a result of the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC); a common market with an economy valued at US 2.4 trillion. Exhibitions of course play a key role in facilitating trade and export between countries. With the TCEB Business Forum in Vietnam, the bureau hopes to achieve growth in international visitors by bringing together key agencies and industry associations from the country.

Of particular interest to this partnership is the mutual desire to share learning and training relating to business events. Both countries have a commitment arising from the MOU to dedicate themselves to the development and education of the next generation of international exhibition executives.

Speaking at the event in Ho Chi Minh City, Mrs Supawan Teerarat, Vice President of Thailand Conventions and Exhibitions Bureau, will reveal new exhibition incentive campaigns for Vietnam.

“In 2015, exhibitions in Thailand reached new heights, and this year the country expects to welcome 191,000 international exhibition delegates, generating a total of US 447 million” she said. “With the Thailand Extra Exhibition and the Exhibition Extra Advantage Programme, we will further assist and facilitate the demands of international exhibition professional looking to build their business in Thailand.” concluded Teerarat.

In return the Thai contingent will hear insight from Vietrade on the nature of doing business in Vietnam.

“This training event and opportunity for knowledge exchange is just one of several ways in which we hope to benefit from the memorandum of understanding between Vietrade and TCEB, and falls under the action plan we put in place when the partnership was signed back in 2010,” commented Ms. Bui Thi Thanh Anh, Deputy Director General of Vietrade.

An agricultural power partnership

Vietnam is one of the world's leading exporters of tea, rubber and fishery products. Recent land reforms mean agriculture in general is big business in Vietnam. It is now the world’s leading producer of cashew nuts and black pepper, and second largest in the world behind Thailand in the export of rice, and second only to Brazil in terms of coffee production.

However, the county's rapidly developing economy means agriculture is now being outstripped by other developing industries including significant investment in robotics.

It is already an active participant in Thailand's trade shows, contributing 6.63 per cent of total overseas visitors in 2010-2015, visitors who according to a recent TCEB audit, paid greatest interest to the Food & Agriculture sector (48%), Automotive (24.8%) and Health & Wellness (10.35%).

The top Thai exhibitions for the Vietnamese market, in terms of attendance, are currently VIV Asia, Food Ingredients Asia, T-PLAS and ProPak Asia, which account for 51 per cent of Vietnam's total visitors in 2015.

However, TCEB hopes to build on these numbers with its forum in Ho Chi Minch City at the end of May. The bureau works on behalf of the Thai government to develop the country's exhibitions and MICE events. Established in 2004, the bureau works as a strategic partner to drive growth, elevate quality standards and inspire creativity in the industry. It offers a range of advisory services and support packages to contribute to the success and productivity of business events held in Thailand.

Under this remit, TCEB has created a global outreach programme to build collaboration across the globe, generating new business opportunities and laying the foundations for long-term, sustainable industry growth. The bureau is also charged with strengthening the perception and positioning Thailand as the exhibition platform for ASEAN and the Greater Mekong Sub-Region marketplace.

Always giving Extra

The centrepiece of Thailand’s lucrative proposition are the extra benefits offered under the country’s new global marketing communication initiative; Thailand Extra Exhibition. This global initiative showcases three attributes of Thailand, Thailand as a destination; as a source of great business opportunities; and as a place to connect with people.

This initiative is supported by the bureau's world-class support and services, aiming at positioning the country as a high potential marketplace for exhibition professional including organisers, exhibitors and visitors looking to connect companies from around the world with firms in the ASEAN region, and as a gateway to the Greater Mekong Sub-Region marketplace.

“The training and knowledge-sharing activity is a shining example of the cooperation that exists between TCEB and Vietrade. We expect to welcome an increasing number of Vietnamese participants to Thai trade shows, and to draw the interest of business parties based here in our AEC counterpart, Vietnam,” commented Teerarat.

Contact TCEB or find out more about trade shows being held in Thailand at www.businesseventsthailand.com

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For more information, please contact

Marketing & Support – Exhibitions & Events Department of TCEB

Ms. Siriwan Kamonwichian | Tel: +662 694 6038 | Email: Siriwan_k@tceb.or.th

Mr. Techadhorn Vilaiwan | Tel: +662 694 6039 | Email: Techadhorn_v@tceb.or.th