To strengthen mutual business ties and partnership through exhibition， Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau （Public Organization） or TCEB has launched new support campaign to attract exhibition visits in Thailand. Strategically designed under TCEBs 2019 branding campaign， “Thailand： REDEFINE Your Business Events”， the campaign provides support and incentives and excellent return-oninvestment for exhibition organizers， exhibitors and trade visitors from China.

Ms. Kanokporn Damrongkul， Director of Exhibitions Department of TCEB， said that China Business Forum 2019 organized by TCEB underlines the bureaus strong commitment to strengthening partnership with business sector in China. Working towards the goal of growing exhibition business in the region， TCEB continues to carry out its key roles as co-creator， partner， collaborator and thought-leader in ensuring success， business experience， and maximising benefits for overseas business partners through Thailands growing opportunities deriving from Thailand 4.0 economic transformation policy.

China is a growing MICE market source of Thailand. In 2018， Chinese MICE travellers visiting Thailand grew at a remarkable rate of 40%， making China Thailands top source market for the fifth consecutive years. For exhibition sector， China has been Thailands top source market， as well， from a mere 16，000 participants in 2013 rising to 46，000 participants in 2018， or a remarkable jump of 187 per cent. Meanwhile， Thailand is a growing business destination， being a central platform of exhibition in ASEAN， according to the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry （UFI） and a gateway to tap into Indochina and ASEAN market. For Exhibition Industry， China is also expected to be the major market for Thailand which remains in the top 2 in terms of overseas exhibitors overseas visitor as well as in 2019， Thailands exhibition industry has reached new heights with 17 international new show – a record high and 4 new shows are from China - 23.5% shared to all international new shows.

The development of Thailands business landscape has been catering to the countrys MICE markets. The Thailand 4.0 policy with the designation of 10 key industries as a new engine of economic growth has generated a greater potential of business opportunities， new products， new technologies and new services for business travellers from China to tap into. The development of Eastern Economic Corridor （EEC） to be a flagship investment zone for 10 key industries and a part of Southeast Asian route of One Belt， One Road initiative of China is becoming a magnet to realizing new business opportunities and return on investment. Some of the 10 key industries - food and agribusiness， health & wellness and engineering & automotive - are now the top sectors attracting high number of overseas trade visitors and exhibitors to exhibitions in Thailand in 2018.

China Business Forum 2019 takes place when business partnership between China and Thailand is being elevated to another new height. The Thai economic mission led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha， visited China last week when the two countries signed two memorandum of understanding （MOU） to collaborate on the development of U-Tapao airport and airport city in the EEC. Widespread investment in projects of Eastern Economic Corridor or EEC， a new flagship investment zone， the largest in Southeast Asian region， and a high-speed train linking the Thai capital with Chinas One Belt – One Road Initiative， present Chinese investors with greater opportunity than ever. Progress is already underway and more than a hundred companies from China have set up manufacturing facilities， research centres and operational hubs at the Thai-Chinese Industrial Zone at Rayong， which is location of EEC investing a total of US$30 billion at the beginning of 2018.

“Considering a good match between the two countries， Thailand can be a destination that can fulfil and meet the expectations of Chinese business sector. To help fulfil these， TCEB as a government agency in being a partner for business success has designed new support campaign that Chinese business sector can maximise to generate a return of investment if they make a business visit in Thailand，” said Ms. Kanokporn.

The new campaign is billed “360 Degree Exhibition Business”comprising 3 key elements. Bidding Fund Programme is designed to help organizers launch international exhibitions in Thailand， providing market support and unparalleled access to industries. Exhibiz in Market is designed to grow new business by giving national pavilion leader a business platform at exhibitions in Thailand. ASEAN+6 Privilege aims at helping business mission organizes to bring trade visitors from ASEAN+6 countries， including China， to have business meetings at exhibitions in Thailand.

“We believe business sector in China will find exceptional value in Thailand for their business growth. TCEB will continue to strengthen our partnership with China and our commitment to promoting sustainable growth of the exhibition industry to benefit the region and we are certain that we can hit over 10% growth rate of Chinese exhibition industrialists in 2019.” added Ms. Kanokporn.