Hopes are high that BIFF & BIL (Bangkok International Fashion Fair & Bangkok International Leather Fair) 2016 will be the best ever and help to stimulate a flagging export sector. The much anticipated expo will be held next year from 9-13 March at Impact Exhibition & Convention Center’s Challenger Hall in Muang Thong Thani in Bangkok. Organized by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), the 5-day event is a golden opportunity for Thai and ASEAN fashion designers and entrepreneurs to showcase their new clothing lines, fabrics, leather goods, shoes and bags to the world.
Mrs. Chantira Jimreivat Vivatrat, deputy director-general of DITP, Ministry of Commerce, is confident that the exhibition will reach its target of generating more than two billion baht in trade. Mrs. Chantira confirmed that the second half of 2015 has seen a dramatic decline in exports, but added that the situation is not critical. The government and the DITP are taking strong measures to bolster trade and stimulate the economy in the wake of a global economic slowdown and the removal of Thailand from the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) which reduces or does away with tariffs on exports to EU countries. Mrs Chantira gave the following statistics on Thai fashion and leather products:
1) The overall value of exported finished textile products including clothing in the first half of 2015 was US$ 3,433.51 billion.
2) The value of exported fabrics was US$ 1,333.41 billion, down 7.53%. This is due in large part to the loss of GSP privileges and the trend of some Thai businesses of moving their production bases to neighboring countries because of lower labor costs. On the plus side, excellent design and product creation has attracted new buyers from Japan and South Africa.
3) The export value of Thai threads and yarn in the first half of 2015 was US$ 1,095.23 billion, down 11.60% from the same period last year. Again, the reasons given for the decline were GSP exclusion and the transfer of production bases. Mrs. Chantira said Thailand is also suffering from regulations prohibiting dyeing businesses to be located outside Industrial estates. These regulations are being amended and it is hoped that this will stimulate Thailand’s capacity to produce fabrics and deliver them to neighboring countries for tailoring.
4) The value of leather goods including luggage and other travel items and shoes in the first half of 2015 was US$ 920.31 million, down 0.94% from the same period last year and around 7% from the target value.
The Deputy Director-General said BIFF & BIL 2016 will be organized as a world class international trade exhibition in line with the recognized excellence of ASEAN nations in the realm of fashion. Mrs Chantira was assigned by Nantawan Sakultanak, the Director-General of DITP, to oversee the project and implement a communications and public relations strategy to brand the fair as a major event in the world of fashion. “BIFF & BIL 2016 will be presented under the slogan of ‘Spirit of Things’ portraying the inspiration, talent, harmony, determination, capability and power of the fashion and leather industry in Thailand and ASEAN. We have invited international experts to assist entrepreneurs in gaining awareness of the export markets of various countries, and advise them in product design and development to attract foreign markets. They will also offer instruction on how to organize domestic and international roadshows. Fashion Night Out will match people in all segments of the fashion industry in a way that has never before been attempted at a BIFF & BIL fair. Event delegates including media, entrepreneurs and producers will join in small groups for informal discussions conducted by selected fashion gurus and brand managers. This will enable the BIFF & BIL team to call attention to the opinions of a wide variety of industry experts and also provide a tremendous resource for those seeking investment opportunities, said the Deputy General-Director.
She added that under the concept of ‘Catching the Creative Spirit’ BIFF & BIL 2016 has firmly set its sights on becoming a premier fashion gateway for entrepreneurs, designers and producers, as well as local and international buyers. Next year’s fair offers an unprecedented variety of quality products and raw materials, made possible by ASEAN integration. Mrs Chantira noted that the greater regional connectivity will be beneficial for businesses, communities and the general public. “BIFF & BIL 2016 will truly highlight the Spirit of Creativity within ASEAN,’’ she concluded.