briefs

MICE industry growth to continue after buoyant 2012, TCEB says

After a buoyant year for the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) industry, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is confident of continuing growth in 2013.

The number of visitors to Thailand last year for MICE events reached 895,224, exceeding the TCEB's target. The Asia market represents 65 per cent of all MICE travellers.

This year, the TCEB plans to emphasise services, focusing on Asia, including Asean+6 (the 10-member bloc plus Japan, China, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand). Thailand's MICE industry is expected to generate more than Bt63 billion this year, said Thongchai Sridama, acting president of the bureau.

The MICE industry was responsible for 9.49 per cent of the country's tourism earnings in 2012, accounting for 0.58 per cent of gross domestic product. Conventions contributed 33 per cent, followed by corporate meetings at which contributed 25 per cent and incentive travel at 24 per cent.

International exhibitions and trade shows accounted for 18 per cent of total MICE revenue for 2012.

The TCEB's strategy will continue to focus on maintaining existing markets as well as expanding into new ones, particularly those in Asean+6, which has very high potential for growth, he said.

Century 21 eyes Bt18 bn revenue

Century 21 Realty Affiliate (Thailand) Co targets revenue of Bt18 billion this year, of which Bt13 billion will be sales of residential projects and the rest from project management.

This is lower than last year total sale value Bt19 billion because of the new condominium projects launch around mass transit system will slightly growth in this year compare with last year, the company's CEO Kitisak Champatippong said at press release yesterday.

304 Industrial goes green

The 304 Industrial Park in Prachin Buri province has been selected as one of five pilot sites for eco-industrial complexes initiated by the Ministry of Industry and the Federation of Thai Industries.

The eco-industrial site is designed to benefit investors with cost savings from energy efficiency.

Poolsak Sutanthavibul, executive vice president of 304 Industrial Park, said the company offered one-stop services for investors, especially helping new small and medium-sized enterprises prepare the groundwork carefully before starting business.

The services are arranged to provide SMEs with a platform of consolidated operations, logistics, distribution, and labour recruitment, while meeting the Board of Investment's requirements on construction support and, most important, granting of investment privileges.

About 100 factories are operating in 304 Industrial Park, such as those of Canon, Toshiba Semiconductor, Musashi Auto Parts, Oji Paper, Yashiyo, HGST, A Western Digital Co, Siam Aisin (Thailand), Thai Koito, Double A, National Power Supply, Noventa (Thailand), Berli Jucker Cellox, and Emerson Electric.