Subcon Thailand 2007, held by the BUILD department of the BoI and CMP Media (Thailand), is a venue where foreign companies and Thai industrialists can meet for possible subcontracting of manufacturing deals.

BoI secretary-general Satit Chanjavanakul said the BoI started Subcon Thailand in 1998, and during 2001 to 2005 Thai operators generated revenue of Bt18 billion from the fairs.

He also predicted that Thai operators would generate Bt30 billion from the Subcon Thailand fairs from 2001 to 2012.

At next year's event there will be 300 booths, consisting of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) such as mould industries, metal moulders, subcontractors and logistics businesses.

Of the Bt30 billion expected to be reaped during 2001-2012, 80 per cent will come from automotive and electronics businesses. However, Satit said he would focus more on machine businesses from now on.

He added that most industries in Europe, particularly automotive parts businesses, used a global sourcing policy. Hence, this fair will be a good opportunity for Thai operators to show their potential in each industry to foreign buyers.

Manu Leopairote, chairman of CMP Media (Thailand), said the company had spent Bt20 million to Bt30 million on organising the 2007 fair.

Satit also said foreign direct investment had declined by 33 per cent from last year. He said the target for this year is Bt500 billion, while the total value of FDI for the first 10 months was Bt425 billion.

However, he believes the BoI will reach its target by the end of the year.

Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul

The Nation