Exports of lifestyle products to rise 5%

In 2007, the export of products in this sector generated $1.7 billion, an 8.05-per-cent-increase from the previous year.

Trade fairs such as the Bangkok International Gift Fair and Bangkok International Houseware Fair (BIG & BIH) have boosted business opportunities and networking.

Continuing now for 10 years, BIG & BIH are held twice annually in April and October to create business and export opportunities for local producers and exporters of gifts, premiums, home decorative items, houseware, toys, stationery and office supplies.

The next fair will take place on October 14-19. The Department of Export Promotion expects 750 producers and exporters of gifts from Thailand and around Asia to participate in BIG & BIH-October 2008, while 17,000 trade visitors are expected

to attend, especially buyers and importers from the US, Canada, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.In April, the fairs attracted a total of 17,762 trade visitors, a 4.67-per-cent increase from the show last year.

 Among them were 4,130 overseas visitors from

110 countries. The top 10 overseas visiting countries were Japan, the US, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the UK, Australia, South Korea and Germany.