Minister upbeat on success of Propack Asia 2009

"Propack Asia 2009, which has drawn 785 exhibitors from 39 countries, should generate sales of about Bt3 billion during the fair and an additional Bt10 billion after it ends," he said in his opening speech yesterday.

The four-day fair, organised by Bangkok Exhibition Service, runs until Saturday at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre. It is the largest international processing, filling and packaging technology show in Asia.

David Aitken, managing director of Bangkok Exhibition Service, said yesterday that local and international exhibitors were parading a great deal of advanced industrial technology at the show.

The event this year focuses on energy-saving and environmental-friendliness in the processing, filling and packaging needs of the frozen food, seafood, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and cosmetics industries.

Local exhibitor Sripipat Engineering expected sales of Bt10 million from the fair, at which it is exhibiting new machinery. The company also participated last year.

Sripipat general manager Nattaporn Sadoyou said the company was introducing two new machines at the event, targeting food manufacturers. It also offers a "buy one machine, get one machine free" promotion for many of its products at the fair.

Seventy per cent of its customers are local firms, and the rest international businesses.

She said the company hoped to acquire new customers during Propack Asia 2009, particularly from Vietnam, Burma and Malaysia.