TAPA 2008 registered a 33.5% growth in number of trade visitors,
arriving from 86 countries
The Thailand Auto-Parts and Accessories (TAPA) 2008 trade show, organized by the Ministry of
Commerce’s Department of Export Promotion (DEP) and the Thai Auto-Parts Manufacturers
Association, saw overwhelming success with nearly 5,000 trade visitors arriving from
86 countries, an increase of 33.5 per cent from the previous year’s bringing the targeted 2010
export volume of 400 billion baht close to reality.
The DEP’s Director-General Mr. Rachane Potjanasuntorn stated : “The TAPA is set as a platform
for the manufacturers in local automobile industry to interact with buyers,
from all overthe world in the efforts to expand their business opportunities in the world market,
and the result of the fair, held on April 23-27, has proven to be a success towards this cause,
with an increase from 3,513 trade visitors from 72 countries in the previous year,
to 4,690 from 86 nations in 2008. With thisfavourable trend, I am confident that we will be able
to successfully expand towards new markets while improving ties with our existing ones.”
Mr. Potjanasuntorn has also listed the ten nations with the highest number of trade visitors,
excluding Thailand, as follows : Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Pakistan, Vietnam, China,
Egypt, Indonesia and India. “This event also saw a welcomed growth in interest from many
countries, especially from Middle Eastern nations like Saudi Arabia which had a 2,500 per cent
increase in the number of visitors, as well as visiting executives from Lebanon, Brunei, Oman,
Bahrain among others, who had not attended in previous years.”
“Thailand has the strongest auto part and accessories industry in Southeast Asia, and our
manufacturers have been reputed worldwide for our high standards, whether in the aspects of
OEM parts, spare parts, or car accessories. We are also recognized for our expertise and
commitment to timely delivery of the product to our buyers,” the Director-General said.
With the governments policy on supporting new exporters, TAPA 2008 also featured exhibitions
and product display booths of various enterprises, such as the exhibition of the Baan Pong Bus
Body Assembly Industry Group from Ratchaburi Province, which has over 60 years experience,
as well as the Worachak pavilion, highlighting the history of the business community being
promoted as Asia’s auto parts and accessories trading-hub.
The Director-General went on to state that “the ‘Worachak Pavilion’ which comprised more than
20 enterprises drew immense attention from potential buyers with immediate purchases
totalling 962,000 baht, as well as orders for delivery within a year totalling 47.78 million baht.
The Thailand Auto Parts Trade Mart Tour also brought a along group of trade visitors from
18countries, representing 40 companies to visit the Worachak business area, which saw even
more purchases of products totalling 8.97 million baht with future orders placed,
valued up to 84.48 million baht.”
Moreover, many trade visitors to this year’s TAPA have expressed their utmost satisfaction with
the event, for presenting a wide array of products whether it be auto-parts or accessories from
286 exhibitors in 557 booths, as well as for organizing many informative activities.
Mr. Hatia Habib, a commerce official from Egypt praised the organizers saying :
“The TAPA 2008 event is very beneficial to the auto parts industry, giving buyers the
opportunity to view a range of products in person and make the best decision on which one to
purchase right away.”
Mr. Habib added that the nine visitors from Egypt made orders that totalled US$3 million,
and believes that auto part buyers from his country will make more orders from Thailand in the
future, possibly totalling US$10 billion, because of the high quality of products,
even though the prices may be a bit higher than other competitors.
The success of TAPA 2008 derived from the concerted efforts of the DEP, co-organizer,
the Thai Auto-Parts Manufacturers Association, and other supporters which include
The Federation of Thai Industries: Automotive Industry Club, Auto-Parts Industry Club and
Agricultural Manufacturers Industry Club, Thailand Automotive Institute, Society of Automotive
Engineers Thailand, The Thai Automotive Industry Association, Thai Tool And Die Industry
Association, Thai Subcontracting Promotion Association and The Board of Investment
of Thailand.
Interested parties may visit the fair daily from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
on April 26 and 27, 2008, at BITEC, Bangna.
* * * * * * * * * *
Issued on behalf of the Department of Export Promotion, Ministry of Commerce,
by Syllable Co., Ltd. For more information, please contact Mr. Somkid Charoensak
at 0 2254 6895-7 or 08 4147 7575. |
