11 Thai Companies Make Forbes Asia 'Best Under a Billion' List

Destination: Hong Kong
BOI Deputy Secretary General Thamrong
Mahajchariyawong led a mission to Hong Kong
on September 28-30 to take part in a seminar
promoting industry sectors including agricultural,
logistics, fashion and financial services. The BOI
delegation later met with representatives from
two Hong Kong trade and investment agencies
Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office and
Invest Hong Kong to discuss future cooperation.
The BOI team also visited Hong Kong International
Terminals, the world’s largest port facilities.
Destination: Italy
As part of its mission to promote Thai fashion as
a world class product, BOI representatives visited
Italy in September to attract high-end fashion
Deputy Secretary General Sudjit Inthaiwong (right)
during the Piave Maitex factory visit in Milan on
September 28.
Destination: Germany
A delegation of Thai SMEs accompanied by BOI
representatives visited Germany recently to seek
business partnerships with European auto
component producers at two auto parts
networking events held in Hanau and Lindau from
September 21-28.
The SMEs presented their products to seven
potential customers, and Assistant Secretary
General Vibulphan Juntarashote introduced
Thailand’s automotive industry outlining the
government’s efforts to make Thailand Asia’s top
auto production base. Delegates also visited I.G.
Bauerhin, an auto parts producer based in Hanau.
At the Bayern Innovative International
One-on-One Cooperation Forum in Lindau, Thai
SMEs met with over 30 European companies to
discuss product specifications and technical
requirements for supplying European companies.
John Rutherford,
OBE, Associate
Director-General
of Invest Hong
Kong (right) and
Deputy Secretary
General
Thamrong
Mahajchariyawong
at Invest Hong
Kong on
September 30.
labels with advanced production capabilities. Other target sectors
also being promoted included agro-processing, industrial
machinery, electronics, packaging and automotive design.
In Rome, Venice and Bologna, BOI Deputy Secretary General
Sudjit Inthaiwong presented Thailand as an alternative production
base for the fashion industry with a skilled, low-cost labor force.
Sudjit also emphasized Thailand’s geographical location and
regional free trade agreements that make it the ultimate gateway
to ASEAN markets.
At the seminar in Rome, H.E. Vara-poj Snidvongs, the Thai
ambassador in Rome, spoke about business opportunities for
Italian investors in Thailand. A representative from SIMEST a
financial institution dedicated to supporting and promoting the
activities of Italian companies also briefed Italian investors
about overseas investment incentives. SIMEST is one of the BOI’s
long-standing partners in cross-border investment promotion.
In Milan, BOI delegates visited Piave Maitex, a producer
of high-end stretch fabrics, ribbons, embroidery and lace. The
delegates also formed a partnership with Assolombarda, the
largest Italian chamber of commerce in Milan with around 6,000
members. The partnership will promote joint investment activities
in Thailand.
The Italian mission was from September 24 to October 1.
BOI delegates also talked to individual European companies about
investment opportunities in the Thai automotive industry.
BOI and Thai SME delegates visited I.G. Bauerhin, an auto parts producer,
on September 23.
By Jinchana Osottanakorn, Fern Saridratyothin, Kritawit Madhyamankura and Alisa Kukarja
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