Nonthaburi,, The Ministry of Commerce leads 54 Thai entrepreneurs and Thai product importers in China to participate in the Top Thai Brands Kunming 2024 trade fair, attracting KOLs and net idols to live-promote Thai products, create widespread awareness, and organize matching, expecting a trade value of no less than 60 million baht. It was revealed that discussions have also been held with the public and private sectors in Yunnan Province to join forces with Thai-Chinese partners to fully penetrate the Chinese market, both pushing fruit exports, focusing on demand for Thai products in each province, and promoting Thai brands. Mr. Yanyong Phuangrach, Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister, said that during July 22-24, 2024, Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, assigned him to be a representative to attend the opening ceremony of The 8th China-South Asia Expo and the 28th China Kunming Import and Export Fair (8th CSA Expo and 28th Kunming Fair), which is the largest annual t rade fair in Yunnan Province. He also presided over the opening ceremony of Top Thai Brands Kunming 2024 (TTB Kunming 2024) which is organized under the 8th CSA Expo and 28th Kunming Fair at the Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Center, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China. This year is the 9th TTB Kunming trade fair organized by the Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, which has 40 Thai entrepreneurs in the food and beverage, health and beauty, fashion, and household products groups and 14 Thai importers in China, totaling 54 companies participating in the event. This year's TTB Kunming 2024 trade fair is an offline trade fair combined with online promotion by Live Streaming the atmosphere during the opening ceremony from famous Chinese KOLs and internet idols to publicize the event to be widely known. In addition, there are also trade negotiation activities to increase trade opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs traveling to attend the event, including Muay Thai art performances to attract the attention of Chinese visitors. It is expected that the total purchase value will not be less than 60 million baht. Top Thai Brands is an important trade fair of the Department of International Trade Promotion that focuses on selecting Thai entrepreneurs with their own brands to have the opportunity to expand their business abroad. At TTB Kunming 2024, Thai entrepreneurs have brought a variety of products to the event, such as curry paste, dried fruits and vegetables, rice crackers, crispy cookies in various flavors, jelly gummies, instant Vietnamese noodles, instant boat noodles, pasteurized blue crab meat, crispy fish, fish crackers, herbal inhalers, herbal massage oils, sunscreen and skin care products, hair care products, silver, gold and pearl jewelry, handmade cotton clothes, tie-dye products, Thai fabric jackets, rubber pillows, wooden containers for household use, aromatherapy air fresheners and deodorizers for rooms, cars and shoes. However, this v isit to Kunming also provided an opportunity to discuss with representatives of the Yunnan Department of Commerce, the Thailand team, and important Thai-Chinese private sectors in Yunnan Province, such as the Thai Business Association in Southwest China, food and beverage importers, consumer goods importers, fruit importers, representatives of Kasikornbank in Kunming, the Yunnan Small and Medium Enterprises Association, and the Kunming Health Industry Association. They brainstormed on ways to expand the fruit market, especially Thai durian, which is popular among the Chinese, to be more widely recognized and accessible. In terms of the product itself, the Thai durian brand should be accelerated to become well-known in the market as a Thai brand, and importance should be given to the demand of the provincial market, such as what kind of Thai fruit consumers want. A traceability system should also be established so that consumers know the source and various information about the fruit, which will help increase confidence in the product. In terms of transportation, the R3A land transport route is currently playing an increasingly important role in exporting goods from the ASEAN region to southern China, as it can shorten the transportation time compared to sea transport. In addition, in terms of cooperation in facilitating trade via the Mekong River to the Guanlei Port, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce raised the issue with the Chinese side during his visit to Yunnan Province in April 2024 and inquired about the progress of the matter and was informed that the Guanlei Port in the Xishuangbanna area, along the China-Laos-Myanmar border, will officially open in October 2024. Products and services for the elderly are another potential area in which Thailand and Yunnan Province can expand cooperation, such as exchanging knowledge and personnel in traditional Chinese medicine, jointly developing health rehabilitation centers or residences for the elderly, and exporting and importing essential products for the elderly. During this visit to Kunming, he also attended the launching ceremony of the first freight train between Guangdong Province and Yunnan Province and the China-Laos Railway or Lancang-Mekong Express at the Wangjiaying Railway Logistics Center in Kunming. He was honored to be a representative from Thailand to deliver a speech at the ceremony. This freight train will be another option for freight transport between the ASEAN region and China, which will play an important role in driving growth and promoting economic connectivity between the regions. Thailand is currently constructing an 873-kilometer high-speed railway connecting Bangkok with the China-Laos Railway, which is expected to be completed by 2028, which will further connect trade and tourism between the regions. Source: Thai News Agency
