UBM Asia looks to organise food expos in region

The firm, the local unit of a British company, has taken the view that the 10-nation bloc is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, with a population of more than 537 million and rising.
The economic integration under the AEC will also create logistical connections that help it lower its costs and spur intra-region trade in the food industry.
Myanmar, Vietnam and Indonesia are among the promising markets. Meanwhile Thailand is considered the food hub in the region, thanks to the advanced and integrated food industry from upstream to downstream, according to Rungphech Chitanuwat, business director at UBM Asia (Thailand).
However, the emerging markets are plagued by such barriers as inadequate infrastructure, lack of venue facilities, obstructive regulations, import taxes, and visa requirements for participants.
She said Thailand had shown big potential for organising trade exhibitions, with its existing capacities to host large events. Even amid the current economic slowdown and political demonstrations, the industry is still optimistic.
“So far, there is no need to worry over the country’s prospects for the overall industry and UBM business,” she said.
In general, slow economic growth may lead operators to delay their decisions to participate in trade events. Political unrest may affect their travel sentiment. For example, they might
 think twice on whether the place they will stay at is safe enough and whether the airports they will use could face trouble.
Trade events organised by UBM for this year will still go ahead, including “Defence and Security 2013” at Impact Exhibition and Convention Centre in November.
Recently, the company was in Ho Chi Minh City to announce its readiness to hold “Food Ingredients Vietnam” (FI) next May.
FI is Asia’s leading food and ingredients exhibition and conference. It is also one of the flagship events for UBM.
In Vietnam, there are 6,000 companies in the food industry, and UBM hopes 70 will join the event.
The food industry in Vietnam has developed quickly, thanks to its rich natural resources and lower labour costs. Some of them appear keen to learn new business models from Thailand.
In Thailand, “FI Asia 2013” will be held from September 11-13 at Bangkok International Trade and Convention Centre (Bitec).
The company is confident that the event will be able to attract at least 11,000 visitors, up from 8,900 in 2011. FI Asia in Thailand is held every two years and has grown rapidly in terms of visitor and exhibitor numbers.
The exhibition space increases to 5,000 square metres this year, up from 3,000sqm in 2009. The number of exhibitors has also doubled to 400 this year from 2009, with 60 per cent of them coming from Asean, especially Thailand with a big share. Almost all of them have attended previous FI events.
Rungphech said this was a proof of its success. Clearly, it is a platform for operators in the food industry not only to meet potential buyers, but also to exchange their business ideas and update their knowledge.
More important, it is key to the nation’s economic prosperity, as it provides more than 800,000 jobs from 10,000 operators countrywide.