The Export Promotion Department reported that the value of health and beauty exports jumped by 30 per cent to Bt40 billion during the first nine months this year. The high growth can be explained to the rising health consciousness of people around the world.

It is estimated that health services and the beauty sector will generate more than Bt100 billion in foreign-exchange income this year.

"As Thailand is known as a hub of health and beauty services in Asia, the exports and services of the sector should grow continuously," Karun said, adding that to boost export growth, the government will continue promotions through its ready-made export strategies.

Karun yesterday presided over the opening ceremony of the Thailand Health and Beauty Show 2006. The event runs until November 12 at the Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani. The first three days will be for business negotiations and the last two for the general public. More than 17,000 visitors are expected to attend the fair.

"Thailand has great potential to become the health and beauty centre of the world," Karun said.

To achieve the goal, Thai manufacturers and health-service providers have to improve the standards of their products to meet with international requirements, he said. In particular, herbal products and treatment, which mainly derived from local wisdom, must be developed in line with international standards, he added.

The department statistics showed that exports of herbal products increased by 32.5 per cent to Bt63 million in the first nine months of the year.

Additionally, Karun said that Thailand would have more opportunities to increase exports of Thai cosmetics to Southeast Asian countries after they all abide by the same cosmetics import regulations in two years.

Under the Asean Free Trade Area (Afta), the 10 member nations agreed to regulate rules on production of cosmetics to support each other from January 1, 2008.

Exports of cosmetics and skin-care products rose by 7.5 per cent in the first nine months this year to Bt27.73 billion. Major export markets are Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, and Vietnam.

Rachane Potjanasuntorn, director-general of the Export Promotion Department, said the promotion of Thai tourism would also increase export growth for health and beauty goods and services, particularly the famous Thai spas.

 The department is targeting promoting Thai health and spa services through Thailand's tourism campaign. Promotion channels are four- and five-star hotels and hospitals worldwide.

 Meanwhile, Karun expressed confidence that the total export growth of the Kingdom will achieve its target of 17.5 per cent growth or US$130 billion (Bt4.7 trillion) this year. He said orders for the New Year period have come continually since September. Exports for the remaining months should exceed $11 billion a month.

 The baht's appreciation is the only negative factor that could hinder exports from reaching their target, he noted.

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

 The Nation