DITP and Board of Trade of Thailand Join Forces at STYLE Bangkok 2024 Boosting Thai Soft Power through SMEs’ ESG Product Showcases

The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce, has collaborated with the Board of Trade of Thailand (BOT) once again to host STYLE Bangkok 2024, to showcase the full potential of Thai soft power and highlight the high calibre of those SMEs advancing toward sustainability. The event brings together lifestyle products, fashion, and crafted designs all under one roof, serving as a platform for Thai manufacturers, exporters, and designers to negotiate trades and establish partnerships with businesses from around the globe. STYLE Bangkok 2024 will take place from 20 to 24 March 2024, at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, Bangkok, Thailand. Today (27 February 2024), at the Ballroom of SO/Bangkok Hotel, DITP's Director General Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit and BOT’s Chairman Mr Sanan Angubolkul jointly launched the STYLE Bangkok 2024 international trade fair. Being held under the theme of “ChicNature”, the event will cover cross-sections of lifestyle products: furniture, gifts, home décor, tableware, kitchenware, toys, spa products, fashion, fabrics, leather goods, as well as new materials sectors, including products for the hospitality industries and various projects. The event targets buyers from potential markets around the globe such as China, Japan, the United States, South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and ASEAN. The DITP Director General stated: “The development of lifestyle and fashion products is crucial in line with the Government’s policy, welding Thailand's soft power to enhance the country’s competitiveness on the world market. Thai exports of lifestyle and fashion products have been internationally recognised for their quality, craftsmanship, diverse raw materials, and uniquely Thai designs. In 2024, export revenues of the industry is expected to be to over 323 billion baht. ”He added: “Furthermore, the lifestyle product and fashion industry plays a vital role in driving the country’s economy, with over 90% of entrepreneurs being SMEs which employ over 2 million people in the supply chain. The DITP, in collaboration with the Board of Trade of Thailand, thus constantly organizes events to accelerate the export volumes and create added value. DITP has instructed our 58 overseas trade offices worldwide to invite buyers, importers, real estate business groups, hotel groups, and major business projects to visit the event. Besides, we have prepared a long list of highlighted products, customized to meet the diverse tastes and requirements of importers and buyers.” Mr Sanan Angubolkul, Chairman of the Board of Trade of Thailand, meanwhile remarked: “STYLE Bangkok 2024 is a meeting place of Thai entrepreneurs aiming for development under the sustainability concept and with the goal of promoting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) values. “All of us at the Board of Trade of Thailand and DITP are confident that STYLE Bangkok 2024 will well serve Thai entrepreneurs in negotiating trades with key partners from around the world, adding value to the exports of lifestyle and fashion products, and thereby driving the national economy. The Board of Trade of Thailand has supported STYLE Bangkok in all aspects – promoting network of participants, developing online registration systems, organizing event promotion, and making the event more attractive to entrepreneurs, designers, startups, community enterprises nationwide, as well as exporters and international traders,” Mr Sanan reiterated. STYLE Bangkok is definitely the most important international trade platform for lifestyle and fashion products in Thailand, representing a key strategy for the development and promotion of proactive international trade by DITP. The event provides ample opportunities for SMEs at all levels, as well as Thai designers to negotiate trade and establish partnerships with global buyers. This year's main theme “ChicNature” will be reflected in the merchandise of all categories -lifestyle, fashion, and crafted designs tailored to meet an individual’s lifestyle needs. Crucially, STYLE Bangkok also serves to inspire and deepen awareness about sustainable business practices. “STYLE Bangkok 2024 targets over 490 companies in 820 booths and anticipates no fewer than 30,000 visitors,” revealed Mr Phusit. He further disclosed: “This year's special highlight is the ‘Pha Thai Sai Hai Sanook’ pavilion, a collaboration between DITP and the Community Development Department. On display will be apparels and textile products from local producers with high potential to expand toward global markets, in line with the initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana who has been promoting Thai arts and crafts internationally. ”Moreover, the event will feature various other special activities in the “Art Zone”, “Exhibition Street” from various in-depth product development projects of the DITP, among them, the STYLE Bangkok Collaboration Project, Material Thai to Japan, Host & Home, DE Mark, G Mark, Designers’ Room & Talent Thai fashion shows and exhibitions from the Qurated Fashion Incubation Project, and etc. For the first time, STYLE Bangkok 2024 will introduce AR technology for visitors to explore products and 3D models via QR Code scanning, both before and after visiting the event - a new experience in accessing products and goods. STYLE Bangkok 2024 is scheduled to be held from 20 to 24 March 2024, with trade days running from 10:00 to 18:00 hrs, Wednesday 20 March, to Friday 22 March 2024, and public days on Saturday 23 March to Sunday 24 March 2024, from 10:00-21:00 hrs, at Halls 1-4, Level G, Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. Interested parties can find more information at www.stylebangkokfair.com; Facebook/Instagram/Tiktok: Style Bangkok Fair; or call the DITP’s Trade Service Centre at 1169.