Lifestyle exports bucking trend

Lifestyle exports bucking trend

Locally crafted goods remain a bright spot amid grim outlook for shipments

Lifestyle products on show at Style Bangkok, which runs through Monday at Bitec.
Lifestyle products on show at Style Bangkok, which runs through Monday at Bitec.

Despite bleak prospects for the country's exports overall, lifestyle product shipments are expected to grow this year on higher purchase orders from the US, Japan and China.

After presiding over yesterday's opening ceremony for Style Bangkok, Sansern Samalapa, the vice-minister for commerce, said outbound shipments for lifestyle products are estimated to fetch US$15 billion this year, up from $12.3 billion in 2018, which saw 6.6% growth from 2017.

"Lifestyle products are one of the most important industries and a primary focus of Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit because of the high potential for product range, quality materials, skilled craftsmanship, ability of producers and their innovation and creativity," Mr Sansern said. "While the world economy faces a lot of challenges, the Thai lifestyle product industry is thriving."

Lifestyle products represent about 5% of Thailand's total export value. Such products include furniture, home decor, artificial flowers, perfume, handicrafts, textiles, stationery, office supplies, toys and housewares.

Mr Sansern said lifestyle product exports to the US, Japan, China and Taiwan remain in good shape because of their style, design and quality.

"The government is confident in the capacity of the country, and the private sector has set standards to strengthen and support our economic structure," he said. "The ministry organises Style Bangkok because we realise the importance of connecting producers to foreign buyers. The event also underlines the country's position as a hub for supporting and expanding businesses across Asean."

Style Bangkok serves as a stage for the lifestyle products industry, which is mostly made up of small businesses and designers who are eager to develop products, add value and present them to international markets, Mr Sansern said.

The event runs through Monday at Bitec.

Somdet Susomboon, acting director-general of the International Trade Promotion Department, said Style Bangkok is a valuable marketing tool for the department, which is organising the event for the fifth time to showcase Thai producers of lifestyle items aimed at the international market.

The focus is on creativity and innovation, which is in line with the government's creative economy policy. The concept "Crenovative Origin" is a blend of creativity, innovation and originality synonymous with Thai values, Mr Somdet said.

"The department aims to promote Thailand as the centre of production and export quality lifestyle products in Asean and push Style Bangkok to become an international lifestyle trade fair that can respond to every demand of customers and buyers in an industry that is constantly changing," he said.

The October edition of Style Bangkok features 986 exhibitors and 1,841 booths, divided into 859 Thai companies with 1,653 booths and 127 foreign companies with 188 booths.

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