Best Ever International Fashion And Leather Fair Taking Place In Bangkok

Online, March 16, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Thailand, Bangkok - 16 March 2010 - Organised by the Department of Export Promotion, Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, in collaboration with the private sector, Bangkok International Fashion Fair and Bangkok International Leather Fair 2010, BIFF & BIL 2010 is scheduled for April 1st to 4th at Challenger Hall 1 - 3, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Thailand.

Under the theme "Look East" with the tagline "ASEAN Integration Textiles - Apparel - Leather" BIFF & BIL 2010 is to present the great potential and grandeur of ASEAN's fashion industry, covering everything from upstream, midstream to downstream.

Mr.Yanyong Phuangrach, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of commerce of the Royal Thai Government said, "Thailand earned US17.6 billion from fashion exports in 2009, up 2.24% from 2008. The export figure is expected to surpass US20 billion this year, a 9-13% growth over 2009. These include US7-7.2 billion from the textile sector, representing a 10-12% growth; US3.2-3.4 billion from garments, a 10-15% increase; US3.8 billion from fabrics and yarns, a 10% rise; US1.4 billion from leather goods, about 1% increase. With ASEAN free trade agreements currently effective, the trade between ASEAN member countries and their partners tend to grow rapidly and generate a greater opportunity for manufacturers, dealers and buyers who are seeking to capitalise on these FTA privileges."

Mr.Yanyong also said, "BIFF & BIL 2009 was a phenomenal success. It was the first gathering of 10 ASEAN member countries joining forces to showcase their fashion capabilities at the ASEAN Fashion Pavilion. This year's event, with a promise for ASEAN Integration, it is believed that BIFF & BIL will help providing ASEAN manufacturers in all stages of the supply chain with a big window of opportunity to connect with potential buyers from around the world. This will be an active mechanism encouraging growth of the entire fashion and leather industry."

"The fashion industry, which incorporates textiles, garments, leather goods and shoes, is a major source of Thailand's export revenues. It has been growing persistently over the last five years, thanks to the collaboration of the government and private sectors that helps developing the industry's competitive advantages and nurturing the sustainable growth on its course to being ASEAN's fashion hub," said Srirat Rastapana, Director General of the Department of Export Promotion (DEP).

"The 25th edition of BIFF & BIL continues to strengthen and promote the cooperation between the government and private organisations involved to offer solutions for sustainable growth. The fair is set to stimulate new developments, not only within the Thai fashion industry, but also for better trade relations between ASEAN member countries."

Last year, the fair welcomed more than 700 exhibitors, out of which 114 came from 10 ASEAN countries. This year's fair continues its real commitment under the ASEAN Integration framework that combines creativity, expertise and complete manufacturing capacities of all ASEAN countries exporting their products to key markets especially Japan, India and the Middle East.

BIFF & BIL 2010 will feature the biggest-ever fashion product categories from leading ASEAN manufacturers. Tailored to the "Look East" theme, more than 1,000 exhibitors have registered for this year's fair to offer a complete range of fashion products and supplies, from trend-setting items to specialised solutions from each member country.

Mr. Pilan Dhammongkol, Chairman of The National Federation of Thai Textile Industries said, "BIFF & BIL is set to be an important platform for enhancing creativity of Thai people, which is a driving force behind the success of the Thai fashion industry. Thailand's other growth factors include strategic location, manufacturing technology, sources of materials, and skilled labours. However, we can no longer wage the price war. The priorities are to equip our people with knowledge on fashion and better understanding of trends in order that they are able to deliver the right products to the right places, in the right seasons, with enhanced ability to keep pace with new techniques and value creation."

"With 14-15% growth projected for the textile sector this year, BIFF & BIL provides up-and-coming designers as well as local manufacturers with an impressive opportunity to stay updated on new trends and understand the needs of consumers."
Mrs. Pranee Kuruvelukorn, Vice Chairman of Leather Based Industry Club, The Federation of Thai Industries and President of Thai Tanning Industry Association said, "The leather industry has continually developed both human resources and machineries together with the high environmental friendly technology to the world-class standard quality acceptance both for local and exporting, and contributed to the overall growth of the fashion industry. In 2009, Thailand exported finish tanned-leather value at US$447 million and leather goods, travel kits and shoes for a total of over US1.422 billion, and this year's figure is expected to grow considerably. This is a result of continuous development within the industry of which manufacturers have successfully adjusted themselves to global trends, focusing particularly on quality, design and environmentally friendly production. Besides, the government and private sectors are striving to achieve the vision, Thailand's Leather Goods: Italy of the East, by working intensively on R&D and Thai brand building in order to create values for Thai products. This year will see about 252 booths of Thai leather manufacturers participating in BIFF & BIL 2010 - an opportunity to foster their potential, creativity and innovation for the leather industry."

BIFF & BIL 2010, ASEAN Integration Textiles - Apparel - Leather features the following activities and exhibits:

- Thai traditional fabrics showcase including fabric works from The SUPPORT Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (Public Organization) or SACICT
- The 1st Asian Designer Congress - a learning platform for Asian designers
- The launch of Thailand Designer Club with 50 booths facilitating negotiation between designers and manufacturers
- 48 high-level fashion shows by The SUPPORT Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (Public Organization) or SACICT, ASEAN member countries and participating manufacturers in the Bangkok Trend 2011/10 Workshop, The Association of Thai Textile Bleaching Dyeing Printing and Finishing Industries, among others.
- Exhibits from Designers' Room, Thai Tex Trend (T3), Fashion Network : For US Market projects
- Seminar on " Trend Fashion 2011/12 by WGSN
- ASEAN Integration Pavilion
- Exhibits from the "Fabrics and Apparel Development for Export to Japan under JTEPA Framework" at Japan Pavilion, including 20 design works by designers of Bunka Fashion Graduate University

With the subject of centralizing fashion and enjoying the ASEAN future, DEP will be organising Business Matching sessions for buyers and manufacturers, local and international, to meet and settle trade deals throughout the four days of the event. Here, both manufacturers and buyers will enjoy fully equipped meeting facilities with upgraded convenience. Currently, trade visitors from 37 countries have pre-registered to visit the fair and about 20 major buyers have made bookings for the business matching service.

BIFF & BIL 2010 will be held on April 1-4, 2010 at Challenger Hall 1 - 3, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Thailand. April 1-2 is scheduled for trade visitors (10.00am - 6.00pm) and April 3-4 for the general public (10.00am - 9.00pm).