TCEB embraces Thailand 4.0 policy

Supawan Teerarat, vice president strategic and business development of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, made the announcement at the Thailand International Exhibitions and Events Forum (TIEEF 2017).
The exhibition sector generates significant economic impact for Thai society. Based on results of an economic impact study in 2015, the Thai MICE industry helped circulate total expenditure in the country’s economic system of Bt220 billion. In the exhibition sector specifically, it generated Bt53 billion and created more than 43,000 jobs.
“When the government announced a policy to embrace Thailand 4.0 the MICE industry has responded positively driven by innovation. TCEB has prepared an integrated plan for MICE that will stimulate the economy in order to be in line with the national strategy spanning 20 years,” Supawan said.
The key five industries highlighted to drive MICE are food agriculture and bio-tech, health wellness and bio med, smart devices, robotics mechatronic, digital IOT and convergence, and creative culture and high value services.
“This will lead to increased investment opportunities in each industry and the exchange of knowledge, development and innovation. The benefits are vast for developing countries in all aspects,” Supawan said.
TCEB’s director of exhibitions and events, Jaruwan Suwannasat , noted that the exhibition industry drew 180,480 international exhibition delegates and earned Bt15.6 billion for the country in the fiscal year 2016. The performance will grow this year to around 208,000 international exhibition delegates, generating revenue for the country of around Bt18 billion. “TCEB has revised its strategic plan in order to shift exhibitions and events industry towards the valued-based economy and the three main shifts strategies by increasing exhibition bids in specific markets supported by the government to draw more investment and exchange knowledge and introduce innovative elements,” Jaruwan said.
The bureau said also planned to raise the supply chain standard in the exhibition sector, both hardware and software, which it would do by marketing and connecting with targeted organisers and redeveloping a role as a leading provider of big data involving international exhibition events.
Thailand is ranked No 1 in Asean in terms of total exhibition space sold and there are several highlight events in 2017 that are in line with Thailand 4.0, the TCEB said.
They are the food and agriculture industry’s Agritechnica Asia 2017, ProPak Asia 2017 and SIMA ASEAN Thailand 2017.
The automotive industry’s Intermach 2017 and Grand Metalex 2017.
The health and wellness industry’s Medical Fair Thailand 2017.
The infrastructure industry’s Industry Wire & Tube Southeast Asia 2017, and the energy industry’s ASEAN Sustainable Energy Week 2017.