Blogger: Mrs. Jaruwan Suwannasat Director, Exhibition and Events Department of TCEB
The Eastern Economic Corridor, or EEC, is a pivotal initiative for Thailand as we progress towards our socio-economic goal of Thailand 4.0. It will be the most complete and specialised economic zone in Thailand, perhaps even in the ASEAN, containing commercial metropolises built around future industries and providing an investor’s gateway to Asia.
For more than 30 years Thailand’s eastern seaboard has been the centrepiece of Thailand’s economy, linking trade and investment with the rest of the world, as well as being one of the region’s major industrial areas. Petrochemical investments rank it among the top five in Asia, but it is home to a wealth of energy sources and rich materials for manufacturing, as well as an important source of professionals and high-skilled labour.
*Source: ASEAN Briefing, Business Intelligence from Dezan Shira & Associates
It is also a major global production base for motor vehicles and electronics, supplied via integrated deep sea ports and modern facilities. As such it holds great appeal for companies hoping to enter the regional market through trade events.
Combined Public and Private Investments at least 1.5 Trillion baht ($43Billion USD) in the first 5 years
*Source: Thailand Board of Investment
So which industries should event organisers be considering in Thailand? Well, as part of the 4.0 initiative Thailand will upgrade five existing industries with ‘immense potential resulting from the injection of technology’ such as:
- Next generation automotive
- Smart electronics
- Advanced Agriculture and Biotechnology
- Food processing for the future
- Digital tourism tools
In addition to these, five new industries will be promoted:
- Robotics and mechatronics for both industrial and daily life
- Integrated aviation industry comprising repair centre and spare parts, as well as an aviation training centre, which will be located in the area of the U-Tapao national airport.
- Medical hub and integrated wellness centre.
- Bio economy. Particularly bio-chemical
- Bio-fuel
The upshot of this is that the EEC now offers ten new or revitalised markets for international exhibition organisers to cater for with their events. The Government’s flagship Thailand 4.0 project is an investment-led transformation tool for Thailand, and the EEC is the foremost area in which it can be seen making wholesale industrial transformation.
In the words of Dr Cholachit Vorawangso Virakul, speaking at the recent TCEB International Media Familiarisation Trip conference: “The Eastern Economic Corridor is an initiative featuring wide-ranging reform, economic as well as social. It’s about achieving sustainable growth and development. Industrial upgrading of target industries, of the environment, creating eco-cities at international standards, all fitted out to accommodate expat communities.”
The education and skills gap will be narrowed as part of this process, another important factor in a progressive exhibitions ecosystem. As Dr Virakul said, the people aspect of Thailand 4.0 is the most crucial, “because even when we talk about transformation, industrial or otherwise, we also always end up at people”.
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