In an effort to explore the Indian market, a three-day exhibition on Thai products began here on July 26. The trade fair organised by the Department of Export Promotion, Thailand, and targeted at the Indian business community, is expected to generate business worth Rs 50 million.

Nearly 100 Thai companies representing 19 categories from electronic consumer goods, cosmetics, leather products, electrical appliances, furniture, auto spares and processed food put up their stalls in the fair.

Inaugurated by Bangalore City Mayor Prema Cariappa, the exhibition aimed at giving a glimpse into the exotic world of Thai products. The exhibition also provided an opportunity for Indian traders and businessmen to explore business opportunities with their Thai counterparts.

Speaking to indiamarkets, Samroeng Sampantharak, Director of Thailan Department of Export Promotion said, "This is the second of its kind in India, the last one having been held in Mumbai in November 2000. We received a very good response from the Mumbai trade fair, which prompted us to go ahead here too so soon."

This year’s edition is unique in itself with the introduction of latest technologies, advanced machineries and innovative products from the industry. Only 69 companies had taken part in the Mumbai expo against the 100 this time.

This is an exhibition exclusively meant for the Thai manufacturers and we aim to get orders from Indian firms to increase Thai exports. Apart from this, a lot of companies here are trying to set up their operation in India with the help of Indian businessmen. We aim to encourage joint ventures, he said. Depending on the response from the Indian businessmen, the government is hoping to to organise fairs in New Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata later this year, he added.

A majority of the exhibitors have come for the first time to India to explore business opportunities. One of the exhibitors Ratchana Nillakit, Marketing Manager of Batik collection company, a handicrafts industry, said, “We have been exporting our items to Japan and other countries. But I have never done business with Indians and wanted to know more information about Indian handicrafts market. Hope I will find atleast a couple of suppliers or buyers or at least enquiries through this exhibition.”

Another exhibitor Somchai Sittivenchakul, Exports Sales Manager of Thai Asia Company Ltd., who is into `EVA sheets and adhesives’ manufacturing, said the company is expecting good results for the footwear, packaging and sports goods manufacturing section.

There were many stalls in the food and beverage section, which exhibited all kinds of canned food including seafood and coconut milk. Other stalls included ones on games, toys, decorative items, leather products, foot-ware, cosmetics, furniture, automobile accessories, construction material, automobile accessories and others.