Bangkok--30 Oct--THAI GASMA
The Thai Graphic Arts Suppliers & Manufacturers Trade Association (THAI GASMA) set to organize GASMA Print 2014 under the concept of “Asean Borderless Solutions” to cash in on higher demand of printing technologies and equipments from neighboring countries, which will be obviously seen in late 2014, before the formation in Asean Economic Community (AEC) at the end of 2015.
The printing trade fair’s road show will be organized aggressively from early next year to show Thailand’s potential as the hub of printing business.
Mr Chaiwat Harnsomwong, president of THAI GASMA, said the association has outlined its vision and plan in preparation for the AEC. There will be many activities particularly the strengthening ties with printing operators in neighboring countries. Then, GASMA Print 2014 will be organized as a key event to showcase printing technologies for Asean.
GASMA Print 2014 is scheduled to organize during Sept 24-27, 2014, under the concept of Asean Borderless Solutions. During that period of time, intra-trades in the region will see a historical change as import tariff will become zero when AEC is formed. Orders for new printing technologies and machines will come from printing houses not only in Thailand but also neighboring countries.
In early 2014, the sales of printing technologies and machines to companies in nearby countries may have some problems as printing houses and importers will have a wait-and-see approach until the reduction of import tariff is finalized.
Even though all Asean countries have their goal to slash import taxes to zero, some will not know the proper rate when the first step of tax reduction is made. It will create a still atmosphere for a while until the end of 2014 and then orders will be heavily placed to celebrate the formation of AEC.
Mr. Chaiwat said GASMA Print 2014 is a key to cope with the formation of single market in Asean. Road shows and public relations activities in neighboring countries must be done to reach target customers in Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. THAI GASMA held road shows in these countries for the previous GASMA Print 2012 and hoped to continue relationship with previous customers.
GASMA Print 2014 is expected to have printing machine and material manufacturers and suppliers both in Thailand and overseas around 200 companies from 25 countries. There will be as high as 15,000 visitors visiting the trade fair and this will confirm the strength of Thailand in becoming the printing hub for Asean.
During the first three quarters of 2013, the Thai printing and printing equipments industry grew by 20% from the same period last year, the historic high growth. It is predicted that the growth will continue in the last quarter and the market value of printing machines, equipments and technologies will exceed 350 billion baht by the end of this year.