Thailand’s printing industry booming

BANGKOK, Dec 9 (TNA) - Thailand’s printing businesses are booming on the upcoming Christmas and New Year festive seasons while it is projected that the industry would enjoy sustainable growth following the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) at the end of 2015, said Srirat Rastapana, director-general of International Trade Promotion Department. Exports of paper, printing and packaging in the first ten months this year grew more than 8 per cent and the country earned over 1.39 billion U.S. Dollars compared to the same period last year while it is expected that exports in 2013 would continue to grow, said Mrs. Srirat. Total value of the industry in Thailand is over 109 billion baht of which 91 per cent of the total value is for domestic market. It is expected that the business could widen after the implementation of AEC because of the fine quality and the skills of Thai graphic designers, recognised internationally, and exports could be further boosted if the local industry could print text books in English language, she said. Germany is going to organise the Paperworld 2013 fair between January 26-29 in Frankfurt of which more than 2,500 manufacturers of paper, office equipment and educational kits from over 50 countries are projected to participate, Mrs. Srirat said. It will be a good opportunity for Thai manufacturers to participate at the fair as they could meet foreign importers and exporters in the business, she added. (TNA)