Phuket ICT a “no show” at Chinese expo

PHUKET: The project to have representatives from Phuket businesses and other organizations promote Phuket’s information and communications technology (ICT) prowess at the 5th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) in Nanning City, Guangxi, China, next month has failed due to lack of interest.

The Department of Export Promotion (DEP) aimed to run 69 presentation booths at the event (click here for earlier report).

However, at a Provincial Hall meeting chaired by Phuket Vice-Governor Smith Palawatwichai on August 28, it was reported that the project had attracted very little interest from Phuket businesses.

Indeed, even the local branch of the Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA) had withdrawn from participation due to lack of budget.

So far, only three Phuket businesses will join the event. Phuket FantaSea will send 10 staffers, including management and performance actors, to man two booths at the expo.

The Phuket Exportation and Manufacturing Association (PEMA) will occupy five booths, presenting local produce, including fresh and dried seafood, cashew nut products, abalone products and fish balls.

Silk Idol Co Ltd, which produces Thai silk and cotton, will occupy one booth for displaying its wares.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Southern Region 4 Office will promote tourism to Phuket by distributing 10,000 brochures printed in Chinese and 1,000 copies in English at the event.

DEP Deputy Director-General Niramol Charoenphao still hopes that Phuket will be better represented, especially in the “City of Charm” zone, where Phuket spas, hotels, travel agents and hospitality businesses can pitch their sales to mainland Chinese.

Khun Niramol said that she will invite the Phuket Spa Association to join the event, and that she also aims for Phuket FantaSea to perform at the event’s opening celebrations.

The DEP has reserved 12 booths at the expo, but only eight will be occupied. Interested business operators can join by contacting the Phuket Provincial Commercial Office (Tel: 076-212017) before Friday.

“We are still missing Phuket’s prominent point, which is tourism. We expected spas, travel agents and hospitals to join, but as the economy has slowed down, businesspeople are being more wary about the potential returns.

“Not only are Phuket operators like this, business operators in Bangkok and other regions are also having the same problems,” K. Niramol added.