Two hundred Thai companies will showcase their goods at the fifth annual ‘Top Thai Brands’ expo at the Koh Pich Exhibition and Convention Centre.
The Koh Pich Exhibition and Convention Centre is welcoming the sights, sounds and flavours of the “Land of Smiles” with the fifth “Top Thai Brands” event, which runs until February 9.
Some 200 exhibitors across 290 booths are highlighting their wares, which range across multiple product categories including food and beverages, fashion and accessories, household goods, baby products and consumer electronics.
Renowned Thai firms including Singha Corporation Co Ltd, Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) and Mitr Phol Group are also sharing the stage, alongside micro, small- and medium-sized enterprises, such as Gold Cross Thai Herb and Lanna Aromatics.
“Top Thai Brands 2020 is a particularly special event as it coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Cambodia,” Jirawuth Suwanna-Arj, Minister Chancellor (Commercial) at the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh, told The Post.
The neighbouring Asean members enjoyed more than $9.4 billion in bilateral trade last year, according to the embassy.
Thailand exported some $7.1 billion of goods to the Kingdom last year, while importing more than $2.2 billion from Cambodia.
The bulk of the exports to Thailand consisted of green mangoes, freshwater fish, seafood and automotive electrical wiring, particularly for Toyota, Jirawuth said.
The majority of imports into Cambodia were related to the food and hospitality sectors, with cookware and household goods also accounting for a large proportion, he added.
Environmentally friendly packaging firm Gracz Thailand are showcasing their biodegradable goods. Post staff
With a growing appetite for Thai goods and a young population enthusiastically embracing Thailand’s products and pop culture, two-way trade is expected to further increase this year.
“We are convinced the market will grow every year. There are no negative factors to affect bilateral trade,” Jirawuth said.
The Federation of Associations for Small and Medium Enterprises of Cambodia announced last year that some 30 varieties of goods from the Kingdom would find their way into Thai 7-Eleven stores early this year.
Jirawuth said his office would also encourage other chains such as Tesco Lotus as well as micro-entrepreneurs to buy more Cambodian goods.
However, according to Jirawuth, the main challenge remains Cambodian products meeting international standards before they can be sold more widely to Thai consumers.
The soft launch of Top Thai Brands 2020 on February 6 served as an opportunity for Cambodian businesspeople and their Thai counterparts to meet and explore import-export opportunities.
Thailand’s Minister of Commerce Jurin Laksanavisit will preside over the official launch of the event at 6pm on February 7.
Meanwhile, members of the public will be treated to some of Thailand’s favourite snacks, with performances by prominent Cambodian and Thai artists taking place in the evenings.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy a famous Thai massage while exploring the range of booths.
Entry to the fifth Top Thai Brands exhibition is free. More than 20,000 people attended the event over four days last year.
Visitors register and receive information digitally during the exhibition’s soft launch. Post staff
A woman samples Mikku’s yogurt beverage. Post staff
