Bangkok--3 Sep--JETRO Bangkok
Use innovative Japanese craftsmanship to develop products for export worldwide Activity under DARUMA project implemented by DITP and JETRO, participated by over 100 flood-affected SMEs from 22 provinces Goal is to create value, improve productivity and boost export, with Thai & Japanese businesses as equal partners
Japanese businesses are looking for joint-venture deals with 20 Thai SMEs who are selected out of a pool of over 100 companies by Japanese specialists to join the Tokyo International Gift Show — the largest international gift and souvenir show in Japan — from September 5-7, 2012.
The products to be showcased are lifestyle products such as textiles, furniture and decorative items aiming to find potential Japanese partners to help exploit innovative Japanese craftsmanship to create better design, function and quality. Then both sides will together export the products to the world market which is expected to bring in more revenues to both countries.
Mrs. Nuntawan Sakuntanaga, Director-General of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce, said “Thai lifestyle products are very popular in the international markets thanks to their good function and the quality standard appreciated and accepted among foreign customers. We believe that the export of lifestyle products should see an upward trend in the last quarter of this year. We are now implementing a multi-pronged strategy to assist Thai exporters, such as looking to new markets, helping Thai business operators and designers to develop their skills, promoting and publicizing the image of the Thai products, as well as working actively with JETRO Bangkok to support Thai exporters.
Mr. Tetsuo Shibata, Director of Trade Cooperation Department, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO Bangkok), said “The activity is a part of the DARUMA project, an initiative of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Investment of Japan (METI) to assist Thai businesses affected from flooding last year to reclaim lost ground. The cooperation model between Thailand and Japan comprises value creation and productivity through innovative Japanese craftsmanship and export promotion through international trade shows and business matching events. Our survey result states that 39% of the SMEs joining the DARUMA program need support in the area of design, 35% in production, and 54% in marketing [multiple answers].
“The products will be manufactured in and exported out of both Thailand and Japan. Under this Thailand-Japan Business Partnership framework, Japan can also seek the possibility to penetrate the new markets with Thai businesses as equal partners. For example, Thai designers have competitive advantages in the EU market these days, so by this business partnership, both Thailand and Japan will enjoy mutual benefits to advance after the previous natural disasters,” concluded Mr. Shibata.
On January 11, 2012, Thai and the Japanese government representatives signed a joint statement to initiate recovery programs, for example, consultation, funding and employment for Thai and Japanese businesses affected from flooding in 2011.
The DARUMA project, under the said cooperation framework, aims to provide support to Thai SMEs in food product, lifestyle product and hospitality service industries. The food products were promoted at THAIFEX event last May, while the lifestyle products will be presented at Tokyo International Gift Show in September, BIG & BIH in October and international trade shows overseas such as Maison later on, and the hospitality services at World Spa & Well-being Convention 2012 in September and Thailand Health & Beauty Show in July next year. Over one hundred companies from 22 provinces joined the program. The screening criteria is that the businesses should have a potential for success, judging from the feasibility study submitted by the companies and interviews by Japanese specialists.
Media contact: Chutima Duangpanich, PR Dept. JETRO Bangkok, Tel. 0 2253 6441 ext. 147