Bangkok--14 May--DC Consultants and Marketing Communications The Italian Trade Commission (Trade Promotion Section of the Embassy of Italy) is organizing an Italian Pavilion at Thaifex - World of Food Asia 2008. It will feature 15 leading companies showcasing the finest quality Italian food and beverage products. The Italian Pavilion will be open from May 21 to 25 at Challenger Hall 3, Impact Muang Thong Thani. This event at Thaifex fair will be the first in the series of activities for the Italian Festival in Bangkok which will continue until the end of June this year. “This is the first time for Italy at the Thaifex event,” said the Italian Trade Commissioner, Vincenzo Cali. “The 180 square meters of the Italian Pavilion will be exhibited fine food and beverage products from 15 companies coming directly from Italy, showcasing varieties of genuine Italian products from different Italian regions. The products will include wine, olive oil, vinegars, cheese, mozzarella, pasta, mineral water, as well as processed fruits and vegetables and desserts. “Our participation in the Thaifex 2008 forms a part of the Italian Festival, which aims to promote understanding and appreciation of the Italian culture and way of life, and also to encourage trade and investment between our two countries. The activities planned for the festival are wide-ranging, and include food festivals, a film festival, classical concerts, art and fashion shows, tours to important architectural sites in Bangkok and celebrations for the Italian National Day.” The Trade Commissioner added that Italy was one of the European countries with the greatest volume of exports to Thailand. Last year, the value of Thai-Italian trade was 111.072 billion baht, while in the first quarter of 2008 it stood at 29.306 billion baht. “These figures indicate the encouraging trend of trade and investment between our two countries," said Mr. Cali’. "We hope that the presence of Italian Pavilion in Thaifex - World of Food Asia 2008 will create a new channel for the expansion of Italian products in Thailand, and encourage greater trade cooperation between the two countries." Thaifex - World of Food Asia 2008 (www.worldoffoodasia.com) will feature products and services from more than 1,000 exhibitors from 28 countries, covering food and beverage, catering and hospitality services, food technology, and retail and franchises. Additional information about the Italian companies participating in Italian Pavilion can be reached at the following websites;www.acquasmeraldina.it, www.acetomilano.it, www.benincasa.it, www.caseificio3l.com, www.conteguicciardini.it, www.promofirenze.com, www.enotecaderham.com, www.europomella.it, www.ilconventino.it, www.brunellolatogata.com, www.sangiuliano.it, www.saporidisiena.it, www.villatrasqua.it For more information, please contact: Italian Trade Commission Pantipa Sutdhapanya Tel: 0-2633-8491-3 DC Consultants and Marketing Communications Ltd. Pimpakarn Chaisung / Chanida Apphathornkul Tel: 0-2610-2383 Fax: 0-2610-2345