The Southeast Asian version of Pack Print International, to be held in April, will showcase the latest technology, innovations and products from at least 200 exhibiting companies, representing 20 countries from all over the world. Nevertheless, it will be about 10 times smaller than its "parent" Pack Print International exhibition in Germany, which is touted by its organiser, Gernot Ringling, as the "Olympics" of packaging and printing.

Ringling is managing director of Messe Duesseldorf Asia, which will assist the Thai Packaging Association and the Thai Printing Association in staging what will become a biennial event in Thailand. It will be held at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Bang Na from April 26-29 and is expected to attract and connect more than 20,000 businesspeople, a third of them from countries like Italy, India and China.

Previously held in Singapore, Pack Print International's move to Thailand signifies a shift in the regional leadership role, said Thai Printing Association president Kriengkrai Thiennukul.

"The quality of Thai printing and packaging materials has been increasing at a steady rate, and this is evident in our consistent double-digit growth despite the political uncertainty," he said.

Ringling said that unlike Singapore, Thailand already had a large domestic market that was able to support increased production capacity and lure foreign companies. As a result, exhibitors will include Koenig and Bauer, Komori, Canon, the Siam Cement Group and MAN Ferrostaal.

Ki Nan Tsui

The Nation