Themed “One-Stop Solution for a Net-Zero Future”, the 14th Bangkok RHVAC and the 10th Bangkok E&E will feature environmentally friendly industrial and home products from Sept. 4 to 7 at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC).

Together, the trade shows will house an estimated 1,000 booths over an exhibition space spanning more than 20,000 square meters and welcome the participation of at least 300 manufacturers of air-conditioning products, refrigerators, freezers and compressors, cold storage design and constriction experts as well as leaders in electric and electronics products.

The combined event is expected to attract more than 11,000 visitors from ASEAN, Australia, China, Europe, Japan, the Middle East and the United States.

Nittayanee Khawtepawan, representative of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) at Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce, said the theme of Bangkok RHVAC 2024 and Bangkok E&E 2024 was in line with the Thai government’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions in collaboration with manufacturing companies in its carbon reduction plan.

“Speakers who are competent in the eco-friendly manufacturing industries will be presenting in the upcoming events,” Nittayanee told journalists on May 2 in a doorstep interview in Jakarta, following a press conference on the trade shows.

“Bangkok RHVAC 2024 and Bangkok E&E 2024 are major events that shine a spotlight on Thailand as significant industrial sourcing hub in Asia. They will feature new environmentally friendly technology trends that answer the needs of both manufacturers and consumers with the goal to achieve net-zero emissions,” she said.

Meanwhile, Athit Thienlikit from Thailand’s Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Club concurred with Nittayanee, saying that Thai manufacturers incorporated the global drive toward net-zero emissions in developing products with higher efficiency and less energy, such as ozone-friendly refrigerators. They also encouraged the use of cold storage to minimize food waste and thereby reduce methane emissions.

Athit added that the export forecast of Thailand’s electric and electronics products remained favorable this year at 5-6 percent growth.

“The favorable trend is driven by the fact that Thailand is a significant manufacturing base of eco-friendly products with international standard quality,” he said.

Bangkok RHVAC 2024 will feature the most comprehensive array of innovative RHVAC products from the downstream and the midstream to the upstream, including copper tubes, motors, compressors, coils and finished products in all sizes and fittings, such as standing and wall-mounted air conditioners.

Bangkok E&E 2024 will highlight the latest innovations and cutting-edge technologies in the electric and electronics sector, including home appliances, information technology, operational amplifiers, lighting and industrial parts and accessories.

Major opportunities

Nittayanee said the Bangkok trade shows would offer endless business opportunities for both exhibitors and visitors, as Thailand was recognized as an ASEAN and Oceania hub for marketing and publicizing cutting-edge technologies and products to core customers and markets.

“For visitors, Thailand is the world’s second-biggest producer of air-conditioning units and the world’s sixth-largest for refrigeration.

“Moreover, Thailand is internationally recognized as one of the world’s largest manufacturers of hard disk drives [HDDs] and Southeast Asia’s production hub and sourcing center for E&E products,” she said.

“Thailand ranks the second highest in electrical products [exported] to Indonesia in 2023 and secured the second highest position in the automatic industry, including cars and accessories,” she added, as well as the third-highest industrial exporter to Indonesia last year.

As many as 19 Thai exporters and 17 Indonesian importers took part in the Thailand Industrial Business Matching event, held on May 2 at Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta, in view of the upcoming Bangkok trade shows. The participating Thai exporters comprised six electronics companies, six automotive companies and five industrial companies.

In her opening remarks, Thai Trade Center Jakarta director Hataichanok Sivara said at the business matching event aimed to facilitate meaningful connections between Thai and Indonesian businesses in the export-import sector. It also served as a platform for the two countries to explore potential collaboration and establish new partnerships toward driving mutually beneficial economic growth.

There was ample opportunity for Thai businesses to expand and flourish in the Indonesian market amid the country’s growing economy and rising consumer demand, said Hataichanok.

She also expressed her belief that both Thai and Indonesian companies could leverage each other’s strengths to establish a win-win partnership.

Thai Ambassador to Indonesia Prapan Disyatat said the business matching event was timely to promote cooperation in trade and investment between Indonesia and Thailand, especially amid the current global uncertainty due to geopolitical and economic challenges.

Prapan said the two countries had enjoyed close trade relations for more than 24 years, adding that Indonesia was Thailand’s 10th-largest trading partner in the world and fourth-largest trading partner in Asia.

“We are major trading partners in several industrial commodities, including automotives, machinery, air conditioners and electric appliances, as well as equipment and components,” he said.

According to Prapan, Indonesia imported RHAVC and E&E products from Thailand valued at more than US$3 billion last year, noting that “The export value has shown an upward trend.”