Bangkok--Jan 12--Siam PR. Consultant Thailand’s Ceramic Industry Club and ASEAN Ceramic Federation join forces to host CICA 2005 - exhibition of ceramic products - as trade venue for ASEAN level and to strengthen their position within the world trade arena. Thailand has already determined to become Asia’s center of fashionable home decoration products and number 1 producer with export growth of at least 50% or over 25 billion baht worth of export value by 2007. Pichit Maipoom, Chairman of Ceramic Industry Club, The Federation of Thai Industries, disclosed that the ceramic industry was considered one of the countries significant industries with the government providing ample support and promotion. “The industry is related to other fundamental industries relevant to the development of the country as a whole such as the construction, electronic, computer, medical and automotive industries. The ceramic industry has long history as well as solid foundation in this country due to the use of locally available raw materials, resources and labors. It was previous rated as small and medium-sized industry with production devoted only to domestic consumption and as substitutes for imports, until technology and continuously evolved to turn Thailand into a key producing nation in Asia earning over 20 billion baht worth of foreign capital inflow annually,” he said. Key products within this industry include table ware, floor and wall tile, sanitary ware, gifts and decorative items and electrical disc. Production of tile and sanitary ware requires massive investment and high technology, while accommodating only the demand from domestic property sector. Most manufacturers are large producers with facilities situated in Saraburi Province. Production of table ware, souvenir and gift, on the other hand, requires intensive labor and design capabilities. Producers of this sort are scattered around the country near sources of raw materials, which are mostly in Lampang, Chiangmai and Samutsakorn. Most of them are small and medium-sized manufacturers with production intended mostly for export. “In 2004, Thailand’s total production of ceramic floor and wall tiles combined reached 157 million square meters, while domestic demand stood at 114 million square meters. The demand in 2005 is expected to increase to 123 million square meters with export of around 23 million square meters or 3.5 billion baht, up from 2003 by 20%. Production of sanitary ware reached 160,000 tons or 13.5 million pieces with 74,000 tons devoted to export or 3.5 billion baht in value. The total export of ceramic products in 2004 is around 21.9 billion baht with table ware, sanitary ware, floor and wall tiles and souvenir being among the top export items,” he said. “As for the trend of the ceramic industry in 2005, the industry is expected to increase for both import and export. The import will include those with good quality and highly priced, and cannot be made locally; and those cheaper than the ones made locally such as fire resistant ceramic used in laboratory, floor and wall tiles, and mosaic. Export products will remain on the up trend as Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Germany, Australia, Laos, Canada, Hong Kong and Taiwan continue being Thailand’s key export destinations,” he said. The ceramic industry in 2005 would grow over 7-8% with total value of 23,500 baht, he said. Dr. Somchai Wongarun, Chairman of the Ceramic Industry Council of ASEAN, disclosed that Thailand’s ceramic industry had evolved from an industry intended to produce enough as import substitute to an export industry with production of medium product items except floor and wall tiles, and utensils, which exported to cover high-end markets. “Most products from Thailand are competitive and reputable in the world arena with quality highly respected among producing nations in the region including China, Indonesia and Malaysia. These countries enjoy lower production costs as well as cheaper labor, energy and import tariff for raw materials, making them advantageous in terms of pricing. However, products from Thailand are competitive in terms of design and quality. Therefore, in order to enhance long-term competitive ability, Thailand must further develop ability to design new products in order to create own product brand name. Manufacturers from Japan and Taiwan on the other hand enjoy advantages in production technology and cheaper logistics cost,” he explained. “In order to further strengthen Thailand’s ceramic industry, competitive to the rest of the world, Thai producers must increase their level of competitiveness by adhering to quality and modern design with the understanding of the market including punctual product delivery to create acceptance and trust, while nurturing the reputation with regard to product quality, services and product brand name. Support in terms of raw material development and related industries, production technology, human resource development, long-term and short-term studies, specialized network of institutions, market development and export promotion, and development of ceramic business groups are needed to help link the industry for greater capabilities,” he said. Suchin Phitak, Vice Chairman of Ceramic Industry Club, the Federation of Thai Industries, as the ceramic industry was a fundamental industry supportive to several other industries in the country with fairly high added value, use of locally sought raw materials and labor, the government realized that in order for it to grow effectively a strategy must be determined. “SME ceramic strategy has been set up to aim at enhancing quality and design with attempt to be the “Best Quality and Design in ASEAN” by 2007. Importance will be made on quality, design, service, reputation and brand name with focus intended on expanding market opportunity such as creating a difference, creating product value, creating more market opportunity, and developing Thailand as the center of fashionable decorative goods for Asia. Export value of ceramic products has been set at least 50% in terms of growth or over 25 billion baht by 2007 with average industrial growth of 10% per annum,” he said. Chokechai Lerttiendumrong, Chairman of the organizing committee of CICA 2005, disclosed that CICA 2005 was an exhibition of technology and products with seminars and meetings pertaining to the ceramic industry of ASEAN. "The purpose is to help develop the industry to a point that ceramic becomes alternative resource substituting other kinds of resources with advanced technology, equipment and machinery to generate new business opportunity especially within the ASEAN countries. The event also contributes to strengthening of the ceramic industry in order to become competitive in the world arena as the show is seen as a center of knowledge with activities such as seminar, meeting and discussion to bring about visions and fruitful engagements among exhibitors and visitors. Direction of development and policy including investment privileges, taxes and cooperations within the region is also determined to prmote good relationship among CICA members," he said. Target audiences of the event include those within the ceramic industry and those from related industries locally and internationally; civil engieers, mechanical engineers, environmental engineers, consulting engineers, architects, construction operators, contractors, businessmen, realtors, interior designers, operators of related businesses, those from the government sector, academics and general public. "CICA 2005 is a venue for trade and product exhibition for the ceramic industry. It is aimed to accommodate wide variety of demands from materials to interior and exterior decorations, molding, coating and chemical. It should create new business opportunity at the ASEAN level, with exchange of knowledge and experience for optimum managmenmt of ceramic resources. Those who are interested are invited to attend CICA 2005 from April 8 to 10 this year," he added. CICA 2005 will be held during April 8-10, 2005 at Impact Exhibition Center, Muangthong Thani. For more information please contact: Jidapa Pramualsub, Nunthaporn Boonlong, Wannaree Silapangam Siam PR. Consultant Co., Ltd. Tel. 0-2693-7835-8 ext 32,34, 0-1817-7153 Fax. 0-2693-6920 E-mail: [email protected] End.