TCEB Initiates Landmark Thailand-Myanmar Partnership

Yangon, 19 August 2014 – The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization), or TCEB, today forged a bilateral trade relationship through MICE collaboration with the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI),Myanmar’s largest not-for-profit business federation. A comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding was signed during a ceremony held in Yangon, with both parties affirming their commitment to collaborating to further improve and expand trade promotion and development of the MICE industry between Thailand and Myanmar.

Landmark Thailand-Myanmar Partnership

Mr Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, president of TCEB remarked that, “As the Thai government’s official flagship body for the MICE sector, a core part of TCEB’s mission is to support the connections and linkages through meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry. This bilateral collaboration truly represents a deeper interaction within our respective MICE industries, which will yield profound results in both our countries. Undoubtedly, the bilateral relationship between Thailand and Myanmar is deep and productive. As Myanmar’s second largest trading partner, trade reached US$7.82 billion in 2013, representing a healthy 15 per cent year-on-year growth. TCEB will do our utmost to further improve and expand trade promotion and the MICE industry in many ways. This includes encouraging public and private sector delegations and missions, to deepen engagement and expand collaboration in preparation for the AEC integration in 2015.”

As an emerging and high-growth market, The collaboration between Thailand and Myanmar under the framework of the Joint Trade Commission formed in 2012. TCEB’s first ever roadshow in Yangon in partnership with UMFCCI in May 2013, helped accelerate the growth of Myanmar MICE visitors to Thailand especially in the meetings and conventions sectors. Moreover, Thailand’s bustling exhibitions sector also serve as trading market place and respond to the growing industries in Myanmar including Food & Agricultural, Hospitality & Services, Medical & Healthcare, and Machinery.

In 2013, a total of 7,101 Myanmar MICE visitors experiencing the strength of Thailand’s MICE industry, generating more than US$24.9 million into Thai economy. The achievement demonstrates that the relationship has significant potential to be enhanced even further with the formation in 2015 of a unified market under the ASEAN Economic Community. In an AEC environment, the MICE industry has the potential to operate as a catalyst, boosting all sectors.

“TCEB and UMFCCI are united in our shared goal of developing the MICE industry with mutual understanding and friendship through enhanced human, cultural and economic exchange. We are committed to creating long-term competitiveness and sustainability for our service sectors in the international arena, and we both passionately believe that the best way to do this is to jointly promote and enhance cooperation in the MICE industry, especially through the strength of Thailand’s MICE industry, including diversity of destinations, unrivalled business opportunities, and high quality professionals and industry standards.” Mr Nopparat added.

Developing mutual prosperity and austerity through MICE industry

Practical steps to further propel Thailand’s MICE industry and nurture trade relations, in the exhibitions sector, TCEB also introduced the MICE Travel Agent workshop to establish the understanding of TCEB’s offering for exhibition campaigns, which include Connect Businesses. As a platform to incentivize business-oriented leads to get involved in business matchmaking at international trade shows in Thailand, TCEB will provide leaders of the first three groups of 10 or more from Myanmar with extra room night support, in addition to support of up to US$100 for each visitor to conduct business matching meetings.

In the meetings and incentives sector, the signing of the MOU kicks off a comprehensive programme of roadshows and sales missions involving TCEB’s Thai private sector partners including members of the Association of Domestic Travel (ADT) of Thailand, The Thailand Incentives and Conventions Association (TICA), and the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), with the support of major Thai Airlines. The full year of engagement will focus on the CLMV countries including Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. In addition, TCEB also offered memorable meetings experiences in Thailand to the members of UMFCCI through a special CONNECT Destinations campaign, targeting corporate meetings and incentive events in Thailand with a minimum stay of 5 nights, with overnight stay in more than one destination. The organiser will receive a maximum financial subsidy of US$ 6,600.

In building a strategic network of ASEAN partnership TCEB plays a vital role developing a strong track record of nurturing connections between ASEAN businesses and their counterparts as part of the ASEAN MICE Collaboration project. From Vietnam (Vietrade and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry), to the Philippines (Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries and Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands), to Indonesia (Directorate General for National Export Development) and Laos (Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Myanmar businesses join a growing partner network through this MOU, as a strategic part to drive the region through trade and investment.

In 2013, Thailand succeeded in welcoming 1,013,502 MICE visitors, earning US$2.94 billion to the economy. This year, it is expected that Thailand will welcome 888,210 international MICE visitors, generating total MICE revenue of US$2.90 billion. To achieve its full year goals in 2014, TCEB is now working with partners to promote and reinvigorate the country’s positive image, reinforcing stakeholders’ understanding of Thailand’s key MICE industry strengths: diverse destinations right at the heart of AEC region, unrivalled business opportunities, and high quality MICE professionals and standards. Ongoing initiatives such as the Thailand CONNECT campaign reinforce these unique assets, while offering generous incentives and seamless support to international MICE visitors.

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About TCEB

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB takes the lead on behalf of the Thai government in the development and success of Thailand’s MICE sector. Established in 2004, TCEB works to drive growth, elevate quality standards and inspire creativity in the industry. TCEB offers a range of advisory services and attractive support packages to contribute to the success and productivity of business events held in Thailand. This includes global outreach to build collaboration across a global network of MICE players. TCEB strives to create new business opportunities and lay the foundations for long-term, sustainable industry growth.

For further information, please contact:

Corporate Communications Division, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization)

Ms Arisara Thanuplang Tel: +66 2 694 6095 Email: arisara_t@tceb.or.th

Mr Pishnu Plaikaew Tel: +66 2 694 6000 Email: pishnu_p@tceb.or.th

Ms Kanokwan Kadeedang Tel: +66 2 694 6006 Email: kanokwan_k@tceb.or.th

Ms Kwanchanok Otton Tel: +66 2 694 6096 Email: kwanchanok_o@tceb.or.th