Bangkok--1 Apr--BrandComm Consultants
Thailand and ASEAN consolidating strengths as regional fashion hub
With the collaborative effort of the Department of Export Promotion (DEP), the Ministry of Commerce, and the fashion industry in Thailand and other ASEAN member countries, BIFF & BIL 2010, ASEAN Integration Textiles — Apparel — Leather kicked off magnificently today at IMPACT, Muang Thong Thani and runs until 4 April 2010.
The event, with “Look East” being its theme, is an international exhibition of great influence with industrial exhibition, conference, competition, and performance integrated into one. It brings together some 595 exhibitors both at home and abroad from other ASEAN countries in 1,016 booths in total. This influential fashion expo is comprised of upstream, midstream and downstream manufacturers who fully displays the latest developments and trends of the textiles, apparel and leather industries.
Thailand earned US$17.6 billion from fashion exports in 2009, up 2.24% from 2008. For 2010, the export figure is expected to surpass US$20 billion, a 9-13% growth over 2009, according to Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai. She also said: “With the effectiveness of ASEAN free trade agreements, trade value between ASEAN member countries and their partners tends to grow rapidly and generate a greater opportunity and benefits for manufacturers, dealers and buyers.”
“The 25th edition of BIFF&BIL has built a golden bridge between the demand and supply sides, providing the right platform for participating manufacturers to communicate and forge closer trade ties with buyers from key markets, especially China, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the Middle East, America and Europe. It is highly expected to boost cross-border trade and economy of the entire region,” said Mrs Porntiva.
The BIFF&BIL continues its commitment to promoting ASEAN Integration, a regional initiative that combines creativity, expertise and manufacturing capacities of each ASEAN country. By consolidating these local competencies into the regional cooperation, ASEAN would have more access to the global market and gain greater competitive advantages.
The fair offers the season’s largest collection of fashion products as well as a complete range of materials, supplies and services by leading manufacturers from 10 ASEAN countries. It also features trend-setting items and specialised solutions in areas of textiles, garments, travel kits, leather goods, shoes, etc.
“The BIFF&BIL has achieved better response than expected at this edition from exhibitors in and out of the country. The fair also enjoys intensive attention from international visitors hailing from 1,016 booths, 595 Exhibitors from Thailand and ASEAN which join the exhibition more than 116 booths, with most pre-registrations submitted early before the deadline. We expected there will be visitors from around the world namely Japan, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Singapore, USA, India, Spain, Italy, German, Egypt, Australia, Denmark, Brazil, etc., with 1,200-1,500 for the trade visitors and 35,000 for the general public” said Srirat Rastapana, Director General, the Department of Export Promotion (DEP). “There is a note of optimism that the potential of Thailand’s fashion industry and the ASEAN Integration initiative will enable the region to secure its leading position as fashion hub in the near future.”
In addition to its trade exhibition, this edition of BIFF&BIL is complemented by the organisation of Thailand’s first Asian Designer Congress located in the Jupiter 6 Room where Asian fashion designers meet, discuss and network with their peers, on April 2, 2010
There is also a launch of Thailand Designer Club, a pioneering project that will pave the way to establishing Asian Designer Club in Thailand where Thai and ASEAN designers unite to gain a brief but detailed insight into leading trends for new seasons.
Other splendid activities at BIFF&BIL 2010 include:
- 48 fashion shows by The SUPPORT Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (Public Organization) or SACICT and from ASEAN neighbors as well as SAHA Group, Street Fashion Runway, Designers’ Room, and top brands like Kai, Micheal Angelo, Ethnic Thai, SC&F, etc on the Main Stage and Mini Stage
- Seminar on “Trend Fashion 2011/12” by WGSN
- Seminar on “Apparel with CoolMode: Option for Low-Carbon Society” by Thailand Textile Institute
- Seminar on “Lifestyle Forward Trend AW 2011/2012: Powerful Evolution” by inFASH
- Seminar on “How to do business in the US” by DEP’s International Trade Promotion Office, Los Angelis, LA
- Seminar on innovation and new technology related to functional fabrics and fibers by Thai Garment Manufacturers Associations
- Seminar on “New frontier of distribution system for fashion” by Office of Export Promotion Activities
- Seminar on “ 2010 Bangkok Thailand C&D International Chemical Group Special Size Material Symposium” by The Thai Weaving Industry Association
- ASEAN Pavilion and Japan Pavilion
- Mini exhibitions by Designers’ Room, Thai Tex Trend (T3) and Fashion Network: For US Market
- Business Matching Service across the four-day event
“BIFF & BIL has become a mandatory visit, at an international level, for those doing business in today’s ever changing business environment. It gathers everything required by the fashion industry within one place. Participation in the fair is the best way to keep pace with trends and new products, and establish deepened business relationships with hundreds of fashion manufacturers,” said the DEP Director General.
BIFF & BIL 2010 is being held at Challenger Hall 1 - 3, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Thailand. April 1-2 is scheduled for trade visitors (10.00am - 6.00pm) and April 3-4 for the general public (10.00am - 9.00pm). For more information please visit www.biffandbil.com.
For more information, please contact:
BrandComm Consultants Co., Ltd.
Ms. Pailin Buranamittranond
Ms. Saovarin Thongtad / Ms. Panithan Chumchua
Tel. 02 642 9620 Fax. 02 642 9688