About DEP
Duties and Responsibilities
The Department is entrusted with the following duties and responsibilities to :
- Strengthen traditional export markets and expand new markets.
- Promote and enhance Trade in Service Sector.
- Cultivate new exporters in regional areas .
- Promote and develop International Trade Mart.
- Internationalization of Thai companies by encouraging outward business investment and brands creation.
- Product development and enhance value creation .
- Maximize the utilization of trade negotiations and free trade agreements (FTAs).
Functions
The functions of the Department are to:
- Formulate policy recommendations and export promotion action plan.
- Assist exporters in entering international markets by means of pursuing market strategy, expanding distribution channels, providing market platforms and organizing sales promotion activities.
- Develop export competitiveness through capacity building programs for manufacturers and exporters including SMEs and OTOP businesses, in particular the development of design capabilities and brands creation.
- Strengthen the country’s brand, Thai-owned-product brands, and enhance export image of Thai goods and services by means of public relations and media as well as participating actively in the international cooperation frameworks.
- Develop trade information data base system and provide effective trade information service to exporters, importers, and general public.
- Improve efficiency and reduce trade logistics costs to increase competitiveness.
- Building international trade networks and increase channels of product distribution through DEP’s representative offices setting up worldwide.
DEP's Services
1. Trade Information and Advisory Services
2. Globalizing Thai Enterprises
3. Business Matching and Networking
4. Promotion Activities and Events
5. Export Capacity Building Program
6. Trade Facilitation and Logistics
7. International Business Consulting
Trade with Thailand begins at the Department Export Promotion
In addition to being one of the world’s most popular tourism destinations, Thailand has enjoyed rapid economic development over the past two decades. Today the country is a dynamic regional trading, financial, aviation and communications center, with a strong national infrastructure of air, land and sea that affords ready access to regional and world markets. Its vibrant export-led economy reflects its status as a pre-eminent trader to the world.
Open Economy
Thailand’s open-economy policy has been responsible for a strong growth in exports in recent years. From 2004-2006, this growth averaged 17.4% annually, while in 2007 are expected to increase a further 12.5 %. The country’s main export markets are the USA, Japan, the European Union and ASEAN, while new markets include China, South Asia, Africa and Indochina.
To help increase the value of its exports, Thailand has negotiated free trade agreements with Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and ASEAN that have resulted in many more opportunities for doing business with Thailand.
Export Diversity
Diversity has become an essential ingredient of Thai exports, with an emphasis on one-stop sourcing of raw materials in Thailand’s regions, in the Greater Maekong Sub-region and throught Southeast Asia. These are turned into a variety of value-added products that include processed & frozen food, agricultural products, electronics, electrical appliances, furniture, fashion Garments & textiles, auto parts and accessories, etc. Look for the "Thailand’s Brand" symbol as a mark of quality on Thai exports.
Thai service industries are also in great demand around the world. Four key businesses are well established-Thai restaurants, Thai spas, health industry, and international education,- while new service industries, such as architectural design, construction, garage, printing, entertainment and other content industries are being developed to meet overseas demand.
DEP’s dedicated services
Trade with Thailand beings at the Department of Export Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, which provides a comprehensive rang of service for Thai exporters and international investors wishing to do business with Thailand. Acting as a one-stop service center, provides trade information and advisory services, match-making link-ups, business networking, data on Thai products and manufacturers, as well as helping to find suitable trade partners.
International Activities
In its ongoing pursuit of worldwide market expansion, the DEP has a year round program of promotional activities for export products and services that includes organizing international trade fairs in Thailand (see HYPERLINK "http://www.thaitradefair.com" www.thaitradefair.com), participation in numerous trade fairs overseas, putting on in-store promotions and Thailand exhibition about Thai products, as well as arranging trade mission to targeted markets
Offshore Investment
Thailand plans to boost its export drive by having the DEP offer various support activities to assist Thai businessmen wishing to expand abroad-especially in the areas of sourcing, subcontracting, green field investment, franchising, and licensing. International entrepreneurs interested in any of these areas of business should contact the DEP, which will conduct a search to find a suitable trade partner.
Technology for Quality
Thailand maintains its competitiveness in the world markets by utilizing advanced technology and research to continually improve the quality of its exports and services. Such technology allows the DEP to provide answer to international enquiries at the touch of a keyboard, instigate teleconferencing around the globe between international buyers and potential Thai partners, and extend support to logistics service providers to facilitate cheaper and faster deliveries of Thai products around the world.
Global Network
The DEP currently operates almost 60 officers in major cities around the world, plus 5 regional officers within Thailand. All welcome enquiries from international buyers, providing information and advice to make its convenient to do business with Thailand.
The DEP ’s international officers act one-stop service centers, providing general information on Thai trade, products and services, while arranging partnership link-ups through match-making opportunities with Thai businessmen.
