Ms.Srirat Rastapa, Director General of Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, commented that Thai entrepreneurs have been facing a lot of challenges lately, for example, an ever-changing market, an increasing intensity of global competition, the behavioral changes of businesspeople and consumers worldwide. Moreover, consumers nowadays seem to give precedence to quicker access to information and communication and use smart devices to create a virtual office as a result of the latest business trend under a concept ‘Anytime, Anywhere, Any Device’. It was estimated that in 2016, Generation Y (people born between 1980-1995) would take up over 80% of a global labor market (statistic information source: PricewaterhouseCoopers). Hence, the department has accordingly developed e-commerce to support Thai SMEs in order to help Thai manufacturers roll out their products internationally. This e-marketplace website, Thaitrade.com, is like a department store which operates 24/7 where customers from all over the world can visit and make a purchase at all time.
In the second half of 2013, DITP planned to surpass its online sales target with the help from the Sales Force Team and Sourcing Service. More channels including mobile commerce will be added and made accessible through a smart device. DITP has also geared up to extend the service through its network of partners and financial institutions as well as develop competitiveness of Thai SMEs in the application of e-commerce in preparation for Asean Economic Community (AEC) which will come into effect in 2015.
Currently, there are 7,613 Thai exporters who are the active members of Thaitrade.com. DITP supported these members in the promotion of their business by improving the one-stop online shopping experience on its website so that the products and services can be easily accessed leading to successful sales deals. Through e-newsletters, related information, news, market analysis from experts and buying requests were provided. Plus, DITP has helped its members establish sales opportunity as well as tap Thai business into international market at a relatively low operating cost. Members can also attend the intensive workshops on how to improve their business through social media marketing organized by DITP.
In 2012, the total e-commerce transaction on Thaitrade.com was up to 50 million Baht while business matching through the sourcing service was over 900 million Baht or grew by 1,800% compared to the previous period of 2013. Majority of sales on the website were namely foodstuffs, snacks, fresh fruits, furniture, home decorations, gifts, souvenirs, festive decorations, stationeries, home appliances and fashion accessories while the majority of visitors were from China, India, USA, South Korea, Taipei, Malaysia, Australia, UK, Philippines and Vietnam. Apart from this, there were a huge number of customers from United Arab Emirates, India, Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Iran, Japan, Turkey and many others which were still in the partnership negotiation process.
“We have expected Thaitrade.com to achieve overall 1,500,000 guests and 15,000 newcomers combining with the existing 35,000 vendees which will be 50,000 buyers altogether within 2013,” concluded Ms. Srirat.
Thai exporters interested in membership can contact DITP through the following channels; www.thaitrade.com, [email protected], www.facebook.com/ThaitradeDotCom or apply in person, free of charge, at the booth of Thaitrade.com in any road show held by DITP. For more information, please contact DITP Call Center: 1169 fax: 02 547 5683-4.