Thai gifts, premiums and home decorative items expect 5-8 export growth

Bangkok, Thailand (SANEPR.com) March 27, 2008 -- Mr. Jirabool Vittayasing, President of Thai Gifts Premiums & Decorative Association said recently that the exports of gifts, premiums and home decorative items is anticipated to grow by 5-8 percents in 2008, thanks to the price rise of Chinese products in the global market.

“Presently, the Chinese government has ceased its tax rebate policies on exports, which ultimately forced Chinese producers and exporters to raise the price of their export products by 40-50%. This is one of the reasons the demand of Thai products in the global market will be boosted,” Mr. Jirabool said.

He added that apart from the United States of America, Japan, and the United Kingdom which are Thailand’s primary export markets; Switzerland and the ASEAN countries are the promising new markets due to their dramatically increasing buying power.

Mr. Supat Sriwannavit, President of Thai Housewares Trade Association stated during the same seminar that the exports of Thai housewares products this year is likely to increase by 5-8 percent, whereas the U.S. and Europe continue to be their main markets.

“Thailand is No. 1 producer and exporter of houseware products in ASEAN region, due to our rich material supplies and production capabilities. However, we must not overlook the business expansion to new markets such as Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia.”

Mr. Supat also stated that the crucial factors in maintaining the lead position in housewares export market are generating high-quality products with competitive price, maintaining existing customers and not ceasing to expand the customer base to the new markets; as well as, constantly develop the product design that responds to the demand of the main markets.

Meanwhile, Ms. Pathreeya Parshujarratpong, President of Home Decorative Design Association stated that there is an immense demand for potential designers in the production sector of Thai home decorative and lifestyle products. Still, human resources remain inadequate.


“The government and the related organizations need to seriously acknowledge the necessity of delivering potential designers to the market that will help strengthen the manufacturing and exporting industries. Otherwise, we will not be able to compete with our competitors in the global market, especially China, who recognized such significant matter and simultaneously encouraging universities in its provinces to produce at least 5,000 new designers yearly.”

Ms. Pathreeya also expressed her concern over the lack of experience and marketing skills of most Thai designers that prevent them from being successful once they turn exporters. She suggested theses new designers to gain marketing experience by working with the industrial sector before starting their own business.

In an attempt to boost Thailand’s lifestyle products industry, the Department of Export Promotion (DEP) under the Ministry of Commerce, recently launched a pilot program entitled ‘BIG Design Week’ on March 3-7 of which number of seminars and workshops on the up-coming trends of lifestyle products in the global market were organized to provide Thai designers and manufacturers new opportunities to exchange opinions and experiences in their careers. Attendances to the program could also learn professional tips from international experts on marketing and design who gave lectures under ‘Design Trend 2009’ topic, an in-depth market trend analysis in three main markets - the U.S., Europe and Japan.

DEP’s Office of Product Value Development’s director, M.L Khathathong Thongyai stated that DEP is trying to give an opportunity for exporters and Thai designers to learn some hands-on experiences. The knowledge will give them understanding of the market and design trends as well as consumer behaviors, so that they can develop their design potential.

‘Big Design Week’ was launched for the first time for designers and producers in gifts and home decoration industries, especially exhibitors of the Bangkok International Gift Fair & Bangkok International Houseware Fair (BIG&BIH). The dual fairs, held bi-yearly in April and October by DEP are organized to provide greater business opportunities to local designers, producers and exporters of gifts, premiums, home decorative items, housewares, home textiles, toys, stationery and office supplies.

The 25th edition of BIG&BIH will be held on April 17-22, 2008 at the Challenger Hall, IMPACT, Muang Thong Thani. The first four days (April 17-20) are reserved for trade negotiations, while Monday and Tuesday 21st and 22th are opened for public. For more information, please visit www.bigandbih.com.