Thailand Week 2013, at Hall 3 Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur
27th – 28th September 2013 ; 10.30am – 9.00pm
29th September 2013 ; 10.30am – 7.00pm
Admission is FREE
Thailand Week 2013 set to feature over 60 Thai exhibitors showcasing
the best of what Thailand has to offer
KUALA LUMPUR, 27 September 2013 – Malaysians’ penchant for shopping in Thailand will be satiated this weekend as the best of Thai offerings will be showcased here at Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, in conjunction with Thailand Week 2013. Organised by the Department of International Trade Promotion under the Thai Ministry of Commerce and managed by Siam Connection Sdn Bhd, Thailand Week 2013 is set to showcase high-quality and affordable Thai produce and products, while also sharing an intimate glimpse of Thai culture and activities right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
Formerly known as Thailand Trade Fair, this annual affair is currently in its fifth year running and serves as a trading platform for Thai and Malaysian entrepreneurs to interact, transact and forge business ties and to enhance bilateral trade.
“Out of the many Asian countries that we have organized this event in, Malaysia remains the most exciting for us as there are boundless opportunities for Thai and Malaysian businesses to explore, particularly in the growing halal products and automotive industries,” said Director Vichada Pabunjerkit, Minister Counselor, Office of Commercial Affairs, in her opening speech at the launch of Thailand Week 2013.
“If there is one thing Thai and Malaysians share in common, it is the love for shopping! For three days over this weekend, we have brought Amazing Thailand to Kuala Lumpur,” Director Vichada added.
Last year’s Thailand Week welcomed over 50,000 visitors with totals sales of RM1mil generated. This year, the organisers are expecting more than 60,000 people to throng the three-day event with targeted sales of RM1.5mil.
Bilateral trade between both nations have been on an healthy upward trend with RM24bil valued in 2012 and RM10.16bil generated for the first five months of 2013.
Currently, Thailand is Malaysia’s second biggest trading partner in ASEAN while Malaysia is Thailand’s fifth largest trading partner in the region.
Recent visits by Prime Minsiter Yingluck Shinawarta to Malaysia and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhiyiddin Yassin to Hailand have bolstered trade relations with both leaders agreeing on economic cooperation in several key industries, particularly the automotive and halal food product sectors.
“Thailand Week puts the present and the future of trade relations between Thailand and Malaysia in the spotlight. We are optimistic of achieving double digits growth in bilateral trade following the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) implementation in 2015,” said His Excellency Krit Kraichitti, Thai Ambassador to Malaysia at the event.
Open to the public, Thailand Week 2013 will feature over 60 Thai exhibitors showcasing the latest and most innovative products from Thailand ranging from F&B, healthy & beauty, jewelry & accessories, textiles, handicrafts and many more.
An array of exciting Thai activities such as cultural performances, Thai cooking demonstration, Khon mask painting and free Thai massages are also set to be the highlight of the event.
Most interestingly, Thailand Week 2013 will also introduce a unique cultural piece from Thailand which is the Khon headgear. Performers of Khon – a traditional Thai drama-dance performance – don an elaborate headgear that is uniquely painted by a master painter. The organisers have invited a master painter to demonstrate the intricate and skilled art of painting the Khon mask to visitors at the fair, which the skilled art form from centuries ago are still practiced in the same manner today.
In efforts to encourage and promote trading opportunities between the two nations, Thailand Week 2013 also aims to match over 60 local and Thai businesses via its Business Matching Programme.
Thailand Week 2013 is set to take place from 27 to 29 September 2013 at Hall 3, Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur from 10.30am to 9pm for Friday and Saturday, and 10.30am to 7pm on Sunday.