| Bahyiah Bakir in Bangkok |
THAILAND recently hosted the Asean-India Expo and Forum 2017 from August 2-5, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok, featuring a total of 193 booths from India and all Asean member countries, including Brunei Darussalam.
Under the theme ‘Creative and Digital’, the three-day event was organised by Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce, in collaboration with various partners from both the public and private sectors. It also received the support of Asean governments, the Thai Bankers Association and Thai Commercial Industries.
The opening ceremony last Thursday was officiated by Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who also gave a keynote speech.
India’s Commerce and Industry Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman; and Thai Commerce Minister, Apiradi Tantraporn, also delivered their respective opening speeches during the ceremony.
Afterwards, General Prayut was given a tour of the Asean-India Expo booths set up at the Plenary Hall and Exhibition Zone of the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.
Later in the afternoon, the forum opened with discussions on ‘Untapped Trade Potential’, by Rolf Dieter Daniel, the EU-Asean Business Council President; ‘Asean’s 50th Anniversary and Beyond’, by Le Luong Minh, the Asean Secretary General; and ‘Trade and Investment Opportunities’ by Apiradi Tantraporn, among the major highlights.
There was also a Young Entrepreneurs Networking session, a Business Matching Zone, a Site Visit and Presentation (Eastern Economic Corridor), and cultural show performances from Asean member countries and India.
Among the exhibitors from Brunei Dar-ussalam were Asli KTM Sdn Bhd, Ghanim International Corporation, Rizqussalam, Nurul Hikmah and Seri Pekatan Sdn Bhd.
In an interview with the Bulletin, Dr Nur Rahman, CEO of Ghanim International Corporation, said that their company has been working with the Brunei Government in supporting local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to develop standard products for export to other countries.
During the Asean-India Expo and Forum, Ghanim showcased various food and beverage products, ranging from ready-to-cook meat, crackers and biscuits, which received encouraging responses from customers and members of the public.
Another local entrepreneur, Hajah Noor Monasalieana binti Haji Mohd Salleh, the Executive Managing Officer of Seri Pekatan, told the Weekend Bulletin that there was a potential market in the Asean region for seafood crackers from Brunei.
“People enjoy eating cracker snacks, and I believe that the quality of our seafood crackers would be a good selling point,” she said, adding, “We don’t use any additives, so the original seafood flavours are retained.”
The Asean-India Expo and Forum was organised to mark the 25th anniversary of Asean-Indian official relations and the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Thailand and India.
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