The department will soon organise a road show to promote integrated trade and services in many potential markets, including Asia, the Middle East and the US.

Director-general Rachane Potjanasuntorn yesterday said the plan would be to integrate products and services, because they could generate more export turnover for the Kingdom.

For instance, he explained that the department had targeted minimum growth of 2.46 per cent this year in furniture exports to the US, to US$1.25 billion (Bt43.74 billion). However, if the integrated export project is successful, furniture exports should exceed the maximum growth target, which has been set at 5 per cent. The integrated approach will also help increase exports for other related products and services.

Last year, furniture exports to the US dropped 1.5 per cent to $1.22 billion after rising 2.6 per cent in 2005.

Thai enterprises have different strengths, and by cooperating in promoting goods and services, they will encourage greater opportunity for export growth, he said.

The department categorised its target markets for furniture and interior-design services into four categories: hotels, spas, households and restaurants.

Rachane said the Export Department would create a plan that would match Thai enterprises with customers in their target countries.

So far, 171 Thai small and medium-sized enterprises have signed up to participate in the department's mission plan. Of the participants, 30 are from the food industry, 20 sell furniture and decorative items, 70 are into fashion and garments, 16 in heavy industries, and the remaining are in service businesses like spas, auto-repair garages and restaurants.

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation