Today, Khon Kaen province and Mekong Institute have tightened their cooperation in promoting the silk business by launching an international event on silk – The International Seminar Cum Business Matching on Silk Development – scheduled on September 12-13, 2014 in Khon Kaen. “Silk businesses from Northeastern provinces of Thailand are well-known and have played a key role in the local economy. Many silk entrepreneurs are expected to join this event, specifically those from Khon Kaen, Roi Et, Mahasarakam and Kalasin, together with producers and buyers from across the Southeast Asia,” said Kamthorn Thavornsathit, Governor of Khon Kaen in the press briefing this morning. 

With the success of the international seminar on Mekong Silk Road in 2013 which was organized by the Mekong Institute as a backdrop, this year’s event will continue to build on that foundation. The seminar in 2014 will place a considerable emphasis on 4 key issues: productivity improvement, branding and marketing, export development, and standard and regulations. “We hope the seminar will provide both insights and a glimpse of an exciting future ahead of us in Thailand and the Mekong sub-region,” said Watcharas Leelawath, the director of the Mekong Institute. Apart from the seminar, there will be business matching activities where buyers and sellers of silk products are given opportunities to discuss about their business and cooperation. Producers will also have a chance to promote their products at the silk exhibition area reserved only for participating organizations. Furthermore, the Khon Kaen Provincial Government has proposed to organize the event on an annual basis and to widen the scope to include participants from the ASEAN region as this is the region with vibrant consumers and fastest-growing economies in the world. 

Medias, heads of government offices and distinguished guests from the private sector have joined the press conference today where models in silk traditional dress sailing through the conference room. “As technology for the silk production has improved over the past decade as well as tariff barriers having come down as a result of waves after waves of trade liberalization negotiations, the only limitation for silk businesses to grow might be their imagination. Silk can be used to produce so many types of products, and definitely not just dresses,” added the director. 

The governor also invited producers, traders and buyers in the silk industry to join this important event and become a part of the future of silk businesses in the Mekong sub-region.