Bangkok, Thailand -- Bangkok, September 27, 2006 – The Bangkok International
Fashion Fair 2006 and
Bangkok International Leather Fair 2006 (BIFF&BIL 2006),
organized by the Department of Export Promotion, was officially opened today
by
Mr. Karun Kittisataporn, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce,
at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Center (BITEC). Both fashion
showcases will run from September 27th – October 1st, with the first three days for
trade visitors and the last two days open to the general public.
BIFF&BIL 2006 underline Thailand’s emergence as a key regional player in the fashion
industry. With its manufacturing efficiency and creative design capabilities combined
with the adoption of a more global outlook to meet fashion demand trends and
governmental support of Thai products, Thailand has developed into one of the major
textiles, garments and leather goods manufacturers in the Asia-Pacific region during
the past decade.
The Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Commerce commented at the Opening
Ceremony that despite the competitive market conditions and the emergence of
several countries with cost-effective production capabilities during the past few years,
Thailand’s textiles, garments and leather goods export industries are still showing
signs of progressive growth.
“I believe that this has been achieved from international
buyers’ trust and acceptance of our products, generated from the honesty,
vision and reputable image of Thai manufacturers. This has, in turn, resulted in
Thailand’s ability to produce and offer revolutionary and high-quality products to
consumers worldwide”, he said.
Praising the versatility of Thai manufacturers,
he added
“Not only can Thai fashion and leather
goods
manufacturers
produce merchandize according
to
specified samples, but
they also add a touch of
their
own creative designs through
their
skills in product
development. In addition, the
utilization
of the
newly-implemented Landed Duty
Paid (LDP) integrated
door-to-door logistic service
has enabled
Thai manufacturers
to offer an
alternative commercial
transaction to buyers
around
the world”.
The Department of Export Promotion foresees the
Thai textile,
garment, and leather export industry,
which provides jobs for
over 2 million workers
around
the country, to be worth
US$ 8.8 billion in
2006,
representing a 12% growth from
last year.
Moreover,
fashion and leather products from Thailand are
gaining more market share in existing and new
markets,
including France, the Netherlands, Sweden,
Austria,
Turkey,
Mexico, Brazil, Sri Lanka, China,
Cambodia,
and Indonesia.
Since its inception two decades ago, the Bangkok International Fashion Fair and
Bangkok International Leather Fair, are regarded as two of the leading fashion
trading platforms in the region with over a million visitors from around the world.
This year, 465 exhibiting companies occupying 860 booths from not only Thailand,
but also from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, India, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam will be
showcasing their latest designs and collections of men’s, women’s and children’s wear,
brassieres and underwear, sportswear, fashion accessories, bags, shoes, and
products as well as services related to the fashion and leather industries at
BIFF&BIL 2006.
Apart from the wide array of fashion and leather goods, which covers 20,000 sq. m.
of BITEC, BIFF&BIL 2006 will also offer business matching opportunities and
Landed Duty Paid (LDP) logistic services, exclusive runway fashion shows and
a Fashion Trend seminar. The events are another exemplary example of successful
cooperation between all parties concerned in propelling Thailand to become one
of the leading countries in the region for manufacturing textiles, garments and
leather goods.
BIFF&BIL 2006 will be open for trade visitors on September 27th – September 29th
from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., and subsequently for the general public on
September 30th and October 1st from 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
