Fi Asia 2013 set to be biggest ever

ORGANISERS of Asia's leading food ingredients exhibition, Food Ingredients Asia, are expecting to generate about $9.4 million (THB 300 million) in turnover this year, as the 11-12 September 2013 at Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Center (BITEC) event is expected to be larger.  and generate more than  in turnover. The size of the event venue has increased by 75% in order to welcome increasing numbers of both Thai and foreign participants.

Over the past four years, the number of participants and total transaction value has increased 25% annually, leading to a steady rise in the number of exhibitors. Consequently, organizer UBM has expanded the size of the event venue by 75% in order to welcome over 500 exhibitors from 40 countries around the world. UBM also expects 11,000 more visitors (+20%) to participate at Fi Asia 2013.

Manu Leopairote, chairman of UBM Asia (Thailand), disclosed that Asia's leading exhibition is important to food businesses across the region. This exhibition has consistently captured the attention of leading food organisations. "This exhibition provides a great opportunity for Thai entrepreneurs to learn about technologies from the world's leading organisations and to adopt those technologies to improve production capacity, reduce production costs, shorten food processing times, improve quality, and create better recipes than those of competitors in order to meet market demands. These factors will enhance the competitiveness of Thai entrepreneurs, thereby supporting the continued expansion of Thailand's food industry and economy as a whole," he said.

Fi Asia 2013 not only offers advantages directly to Thai entrepreneurs, but also gives entrepreneurs across ASEAN an opportunity to learn new technologies from around the world, resulting in the development of technology and food production capacity for the whole region, Mr Manu also said. “This is a significant factor in ASEAN becoming the world's food hub as envisaged. This year, UBM has increased publicity for the event, both locally and internationally, organising roadshows to reach entrepreneurs in Thailand's neighboring countries, such as Viet Nam, Myanmar, Indonesia and Malaysia,” he explained.

Knowledge and technology are required to transform potential products into successful ones. Orawan Kaewprakaisangkul, deputy director of the National Food Institute (NFI), said the institute is now focusing on developing products from Thai entrepreneurs through the 'THAILAND, Kitchen of the World' project, as well as other projects, thereby adding economic value to the Thai food industry, and creating confidence in Thai food values. “Presently, we can see increased activity by entrepreneurs who are also more eager to learn new technologies, considering the 93 extra products now being developed by the project. While waiting to be developed on an industrial basis, these products will be showcased at NFI's booth at Fi Asia 2013,” she added.

Jaruwan Suwannasat, Director of Exhibitions and Events Department at Thailand's Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), said the bureau has supported the marketing activities of Fi Asia abroad to attract overseas visitors interested in seeking trading partners. “The bureau has also supported visitor promotions under the 颼-A-Head' campaign, in order to draw businesses to visit exhibitions from ASEAN+6 countries, as well as the 'Be My Guest' campaign that provides hotel rooms for big buyers from around the world. This year, TCEB expects the event to attract over 2,000 foreign visitors, particularly from within the region, as well as generate over THB143 million for the country," sAir Jordan I Mid