Thai textile brands targeted for global recognition

BANGKOK, April 1 (TNA) - Thailand has targeted to become one of 14 trendsetting countries and planned to successfully promote national textile brands globally over the next 10 years. Suttinee Poopaka, Executive Director of the Thailand Textile Institute (TTI), told journalists of the goals on Wednesday, saying that Thailand would then use its trendsetting status to enable local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the textile sector to develop fabric and home textile which are environment-friendly and meet global fashion trends. For the purpose, Suttinee noted, 25 local potential SMEs will be selected to develop the Thai textile products which will meet fashion market demands in the summer season next year. Meanwhile, TTI Deputy Executive Director Pradit Ratanawijitrasilp told reporters that his institute plans to promote 10 Thai fashion brands regionally over the next five years and 1-2 brands globally over the next 10 years. In January 2015 alone, the value of Thai textile exports stood at 348 million US dollars, a year-on-year drop by 2.72 per cent. (TNA)