Bangkok--28 Sep--Aziam Burson-Marsteller Big C and its partners believe that Thailand will become an important hub for exports in the region. Through its parent company, the Casino Group, and other partners, Big C is making good on its commitment to promoting Thai exports around the world with a Thai products trade fair at key locations in France. This effort aims to help Thai products gain a bigger share of the lucrative European retail market. Ms. Jariya Chirathivat, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Big C Supercenter PLC, said that, following a visit to France by Thai government and industry representatives to mark the 320th anniversary of Franco-Thai relations and to boost trade and business relations between the two countries, Big C and its partners have organized a Thai food products festival at 14 hypermarts and department stores owned by the Casino Group in Paris and Lyon. The festival, which was visited by former Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak and his entourage, is taking place from September 14 through October 5, 2006. “In conjunction with the Casino Group and our other partners, Big C is working to introduce Thai exports to global markets. Recently the Department of Export Promotion signed an agreement with the Casino Group to serve as a procurement and logistics company to export Thai products. This marks the first time the Thai government is distributing Thai products via a large European retailer. France’s retail industry is highly competitive and Thai products will offer the Casino Group an opportunity to reach niche markets” added Jariya. “This cooperation will help increase the number of Thai products exported to Europe, by upcountry firms, especially SMEs. The Ministry of Commerce aims to help Thai products like fragrant jasmine rice and spa products achieve higher market share Europe. Big C believes that European consumers will find these products enticing” Jariya said. Big C and its partners are offering a variety of products at the Thai food and products festival, including over 60 food items like rice, noodles, canned fruit and snacks as well as 60 consumer product items like cloth, instruments and others.Between January and August 2006, Big C and its partners have exported a total of US$5.2 million (197.66 million baht) worth of Thai products to Europe, South America and the Middle East. Thailand is the biggest source of global exports in Southeast Asia. “Casino Group and Big C’s partners realize Thailand’s potential to be a key exporter, as they recognize the high quality, variety and good value presented by Thai products. Big C is ready to expand the number of export channels available for Thai goods and aims to make it more convenient to export goods. This will result in benefits for farmers, growers, manufacturers and the Thai economy,” Jariya concluded. Big C Supercenter PCL (BIGC), founded in 1993, is a retail consumer goods trade operator trading under the name of Big C Supercenter. It offers a wide variety of products at the most competitive prices under the slogan “More Than Just Low Prices” to maximize the highest value for customers at its 47 stores nationwide. For further information about Big C Supercenter, visit our Web site at www.bigc.co.th . For further information, please contact: Waraporn or Barakorn Aziam Burson-Marsteller Tel. 0 2252 9871