Branded drive

The move was prompted by the wide price gap between branded and unbranded products and consumers' perception that brand-name products are of higher quality, which they are willing to pay a premium for.

Rachane Potjanasuntorn, director-general of the Export Promotion Department, said the Commerce Ministry would set up a special programme to help local companies create their own brands and bring them up to international standards.

"Brand-name goods are not only key to increasing export value; they are also a sustainable way to drive business growth once overseas buyers have brand recognition," Rachane said.

To help achieve this, successful local brand-name manufacturers will help the ministry train small and medium-sized enterprises in how to create a brand image to gain international recognition.