Bangkok--Dec 1--BOI
Some 500 Thai and European SMEs will get down to business when a major matchmaking event, the European Union (EU) -- Thailand Partenariat 2005, takes place in Bangkok from 17-18 November 2005.
Jointly funded by the European Commission— the executive arm of the EU — and the Royal Thai Government the event will be organised by the Office of the Board of Investment in Thailand (BOI).
Ambassador Klauspeter Schmallenbach, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission in Thailand said, ”The European Union-Thailand Partenariat 2005 acknowledges that although SMEs are the foundation upon which the economies of both Europe and Thailand are built, they often lack the human and financial resources necessary to explore and exploit market opportunities in third countries. By bringing companies and expertise together under one roof, the event will allow SMEs to meet and explore partnerships, joint ventures, manufacturing and marketing agreements across a range of sectors.”
“The 19 million SMEs across Europe form the economic backbone of the European Union. This one-to-one business match-making event brings European SMEs to the Thai doorstep and should yield increased economic cooperation between us.“The size and scope of the event will demonstrate the strengthening economic relations between the EU and Thailand and highlight the potential for further co-operation,” he added.”
Mr Satit Sirirangkamanont, Secretary General of the BOI said, “Thailand has an excellent investment climate with competitive costs, good human resources and a vibrant entrepreneur class. It is also the perfect gateway to ASEAN. The EU-Thailand Patenariat will be the ideal opportunity for Thai SMEs to gain access to European technology and for European companies to increase their exposure in this dynamic market.”
Industry sectors to be featured at the event are: Machinery and Equipment; Agriculture; Automotive products; Electronics, ICT and Software; Fashion and Design; and High Value—Added Services (e.g. tourism, healthcare and spas, printing, R&D, environmental preservation).
Prior to the Partenariat promotional campaigns will take place throughout the EU, to raise the profile of Thailand as an attractive destination for European firms. The event will also encourage local companies to raise the standards of their operations, products, and services to assure a competitive position in the world market.
The European Union-Thailand Partenariat 2005 is co-funded by the EU’s Asia Invest Programme, which facilitates trade and investment between Europe and Asia, in particular between SMEs.
Partenariat’s have previously taken place in Asia in Singapore (1997) India (1999), Malaysia and China (2002), as well as Sri Lanka (2004). In each the number of participating companies from EU and the host country exceeded 700 with approximately 4000 business meetings taking place.
In 2003, EU imports totalled some ?987 billion, accounting for 19% of total world trade in goods. About 15% of Thai exports enter the EU market annually. In 2003 these were worth some ?10 billion. With its enlargement on 1 May 2004, the EU now comprises 25 Member States, and with 455 million consumers is the world’s largest single market, where internal barriers to trade no longer exist.
For more information see:
Asia-Invest Programme
http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/projects/asia-invest
Delegation of the European Commission to Thailand
http://www.deltha.cec.eu.int End.