some trade shows may be moved out of bangkok

The Commerce Ministry may move some of its upcoming trade exhibitions out of Bangkok if political tension threatens to scare off foreign visitors.

"The ministry's quite concerned about the Kingdom's export growth," permanent secretary Siripol Yodmuangcharoen said yesterday. "Trade fairs are one of the key engines driving export growth, and the ministry is seeking other provinces to host events in case of an emergency."

The ministry has confirmed that it will hold the Bangkok International Gift and Houseware Fair at the Impact Arena Muang Thani from Tuesday to October 19 but is preparing a plan to hold its trade fairs in major provinces in a bid to increase visitors' confidence if any violence breaks out.

The other trade fair that is scheduled to be held soon is the Thailand Health and Beauty Show 2008, from November 5-9 at the same venue.

The ministry is also planning to set up trade exhibitions in target countries as part of its aggressive strategy to promote Thai products overseas.

The ministry will discuss with the Board of Trade of Thailand and the Federation of Thai Industries measures to rescue snall and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the economic slowdown.

The private sector has voiced concern to the ministry that SMEs were the first group of businesses to feel the pinch from the global spread of the US financial crisis.

Some smaller footwear and leather-goods producers have been reported as being near collapse from a lack of liquidity.