A few more weeks and the 15th edition of Thaifex-World of food Asia will open its doors. Some call it the ‘Anuga of the Asian markets’, summarizing the fundamental role that this great F&B exhibition plays in an economic area of great importance. The ASEAN is in fact a gateway to the most dynamic markets of this part of the Asian continent, an association of states (Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Laos, Vietnam, Burma, Cambodia and East Timor) in which barriers and tariffs have been eliminated, creating a free trade area that has greatly facilitated access for foreign companies, first and foremost the Italian ones.
New activities on display at Thaifex 2018
Organized by Kolenmesse Pte Ltd (Singapore) in collaboration with DITP-Department of International Trade Promotion and TCC-Thai Chamber of Commerce, Thaifex 2018 will be held from May 29th to June 2nd at the Impact Exhibition and Convention Center in Bangkok, where more than two thousand exhibitors (the last edition welcomed 2,169) from all over the world are expected, occupying 11 pavilions with a total surface area of over 107,000 square meters; a marked increase compared to the 93,500 of last year and the 79,000 of 2016. This year’s edition includes specific programmes dedicated to a total of 3,000 large buyers who will be invited to take part in Thaifex 2018. As always, Bangkok’s exhibition offer is extremely rich, structured into 11 shows based on product categories and four more special shows (Halal Market, Organic Market, Franchise Market, Innovation Show) that will allow visitors to meet their most specific needs. Last year over 55,000 visitors arrived in Bangkok from all over the Middle and Far East, in particular from the Asean area. Much more are expected for this year’s edition.
Italy in Bangkok
Italian companies have been the absolute protagonists of Thaifex for several years, thanks to the collaboration between Koelnmesse Italia (Anuga), Fiere di Parma and Federalimentare (Cibus) aimed at encouraging and supporting the internationalization of Italian agri-food activities in all the most interesting world markets. A partnership that in Thaifex is enriched by the collaboration of ICE- Italian Trade Agency. The result will be a concrete activity to bring a delegation of twenty operators from the Asean region to know more about Italian products in a dedicated area, where events, meetings, and tastings will be organized. There will be 25 Italian companies occupying an area of over 300 square metres in the Fine Food and World of Coffee & Tea pavilions. Moreover, a large group of exhibitors from Sicily – 25 in an area of 250 square meters – will display the great food heritage of the island. The Italian participation will also benefit from the new collaboration between Koelnmesse Italy and ‘I love Italian Food’. The latter is an association aiming at promoting and defending Italian food and wine culture in the world. In the Italian Lounge there will be several cooking shows, during which some well-known Italian chefs – working in Thailand and in neighboring countries – will prepare the products of Italian exhibitors.