TCEB Organises Forum to Prepare for Asean Economic Community

August 20, 2012

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) will organise a regional forum this year titled “AEC 2012: The Cutting Edge Strategy for MICE Industry” to strengthen Thailand and the region’s MICE sector ahead of the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015.

A draft master plan is expected as a result of the forum, with attendees including delegates from the ASEAN Commercial Counsellor. TCEB expects the AEC formation to result in 100-percent growth for Thailand’s MICE sector, which will generate revenues of US$4.1 billion by 2016.

TCEB has identified four key themes for the forum:

1) Strategies for expansion of trading opportunities and investment for Thailand’s MICE industry;

2) Guidelines for Thai MICE operators doing business in ASEAN countries;

3) Guidance in drafting of regulations and risk management for Thai MICE operators following liberalisation under AEC;

4) Support for MICE operators from government agencies in ASEAN member countries.

Thongchai Sridama, acting president of TCEB, said, “For more than three years, TCEB has been implementing a comprehensive action plan to prepare the industry for ASEAN economic integration in 2015. We work closely with all concerned stakeholders in both the public and private sectors.

He added, "Together, we have implemented a comprehensive programme to prepare the industry for the challenges of economic integration, and to strengthen the capacity and competitiveness of individual MICE operators to allow them to benefit fully from the many opportunities presented by AEC.”

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