The Department of Export Promotion, together with other Thai government organizations and the TGJTA, will take part in a seminar in September on jewelry trade-related issues, says Chalaw Fuangaromya.

            “The seminar will review industry problems and their solutions. It will examine issues including VAT(value-added tax), gold imports, duties on imported parts, foreign markets, competition, marketing, product diversification, improvements, etc…”

            No date for the seminar was given, but it will be held at a Bangkok hotel with officials from the ministries of foreign affairs, finance, commerce, industry and also traders, Chalaw said.

WHERE COMMON INTERESTS PREVAIL

            Thailand’s Department of Export Promotion does not fear competition from Headway Fair Limited of Hong Kong

            When it holds the first of its two jewelry fairs here in March 1990, says DEP director-general Chalaw Fuangaromya.

            Headway has scheduled the Second Bangkok International Jewelry Fair in three top Bangkok hotels from March 13 to 16. Those hotels include the Shangri-la, The Royal Orchid Sheraton tower and the Dusit Thani. The five-day DEP fair coincidentally begins March 13.

            “Having many fairs allows us to reinforce each other’s works, and the country’s interests are advanced,” Chalaw says. “We have our group targets, and they theirs. Even if our target markets were identical, that just means variety and that is good for buyers. Headway could benefit from us, and vice versa.

            “If there’s one more fair held in the same month in the same country, not to mention the same time, that’s great for the visitors. I like to look at the picture on the macro level, “he said. The DEP’s markets are strengthened by its network of overseas trade offices and the offices of the commercial counsellors.