Yotsaton Kijkusol, chief of TDET and director of the Thai Garment Manufacturers Association, said yesterday that continuing the scheme would strengthen the 45 clothing brands the body had advised during its 18-months in operation.

Rajamangala University's technology department runs the TDET, one of the nine projects under the government's Bangkok fashion project.

The project's first charge is brand creation, which involves helping entrepreneurs develop their products. The second is brand analysis to prevent companies from losing their cutting edge.

Finally, it holds workshops that enable local businesses to learn from US experts.

Yosaton said that some brands under its stewardship had tripled their value, which justified keeping the scheme going.

He said the TDET needs a larger budget to do its job effectively. It has to date received Bt9 million to handle around 45 brands, even though each company required at least Bt4 million for brand development.

All these issues have been discussed with the government but to avail, he added.

Eight of the TDET's brands, six of which are new enterprises, are showcasing their work at Bangkok Fashion Week, which is running at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre until this Sunday.

Nitida Asawanipont

The Nation