THAIFEX - World of Food Asia 2019 kicks off in Bangkok
Thailand's public and private sectors, in cooperation with the Department of International Trade Promotion, the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Koelnmesse Company Limited of Germany, are organizing the annual THAIFEX - World of Food Asia, which opened on May 28.
At the opening ceremony of THAIFEX - World of Food Asia (Source: NNT)
Bangkok (NNT/VNA) - The Thai food industry has greatpotential and generates trillions of baht of income for the country each year.The public and private sectors, in cooperation with the Department ofInternational Trade Promotion, the Thai Chamber of Commerce and KoelnmesseCompany Limited of Germany, are organizing the annual THAIFEX - World of FoodAsia, which opened on May 28.
THAIFEX – World of Food Asia 2019 is the 16th edition of the region’sfood and beverage trade show, with food industry operators from over 2,700companies in 42 countries joining the event. The trade show features more than6,000 booths and areas have been set up for exhibitors to engage in businessnegotiations.
This year, the show focuses on technology, products and designs from thefood and beverage sector. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about thelatest food trends and the future of the food and beverage industry. The showalso provides a platform for 104 startup companies to showcase theircapabilities.
Another highlight is the country’s processed seafood industry. KaniFamily by Lucky Union Foods Company Limited, a producer of crab sticks madefrom finely pulverized white fish meat, has utilized a technological platformto expand its services and sales. This year, the market share of domestic andforeign companies has been adjusted to 50 percent to alleviate the impact ofthe ongoing trade war between China and the United States.
Over 7,300 people from 106 countries, including Malaysia, Singapore,Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, the Philippines, Taiwan and India, have registeredto attend THAIFEX – World of Food Asia 2019. A platform for businessnegotiations is being held from May 28 to May 31. It is expected to generate atrade value of 11.5 billion baht. The event will organize a Trade and PublicDay on June 1, with a projected trade value of 55 million baht. The trade showis expected to attract some 130,000 visitors.-NNT/VNA
Thai Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Somkid Jatusripitak said he will assign the Ministry of Commerce to allocate funds to rebrand Thailand as the world’s kitchen.
The Thai Government will revive the “Kitchen of the World” campaign with the aim of becoming a major food exporter in the world, expanding food startups and increasing support to Thai restaurants overseas, as the country is striving to raise food exports to contribute more than 6 percent of its GDP.
Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) of Thailand and its subsidiaries have reported that their consolidated first-quarter net profit skyrocketed by 40 percent year on year to 4.279 billion baht (nearly 134 million USD) thanks to their pork business activities in Vietnam.
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
The facility was established in response to a growing shift in the Filipino labour force from the Middle East to Japan, where workers are seeking safer working environments.
In the latest Indonesia-US trade agreement in July, the US administration agreed to reduce the reciprocal tariff, which was initially set at 32% by US President Donald Trump last April, to 19%.
At the opening ceremony of THAIFEX - World of Food Asia (Source: NNT) 
