VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific Co. Ltd. which is a joint venture between Jaarbeurs from the Netherlands and TCC Exhibition and Convention Center, organized Thailand LAB INTERNATIONAL in Thailand from 6-8 September 2017. The exhibition welcomed around 10,000 trade visitors and 4,000 delegates from 45 countries. Around 330 leading companies participated in the event to showcase their products.

The exhibitions highlighted new technologies, innovations, new research, and knowledge for Laboratory Equipment and Technology, Life Sciences and Bio Investment, LAB safety and Chemical industry for Asian markets. The official opening of the event featured guests Dr Suthiweth T. Saengchantara, Director General, Department of Science Service, Ministry of Science and Technology, Dr Nares Damrongchai, Chief Executive Officer, Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (Public Organization), Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Udom Chanasit, President, Science and Technology Trade Association,  Teerayuth Leelakajornkij, Director, Science & Technology Business  Unit and Phornsiri Manoharn, Board of Director, VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific Co., Ltd. at BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand.

Around 9,000 trade visitors from various sectors like R&D, QC, purchasing and management from 60 countries attended the exhibition. The exhibitors included the likes of Agilent Technologies Ltd, Aisimo Corporation Inc, BIOTEC, Clarivate Analytics, Eppendorf Co. Ltd., Hyundai Micro Ltd., Lonza Bioscience Singapore Pte Ltd., Mettler Toledo Ltd, PCI Analytics Pvt. Ltd., Qiagen Thailand, Sartorius (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Tip Bio systems Pte Ltd., Water Test Co. Ltd. etc. Various organizations such as Center of Excellence on Medical Biotechnology (CEMB), Department of Medical Sciences (DMSC), Department of Science Service (DSS), Institute of Food Research and Product Development (IFRPD), Kasetsart University Food Innovation Research and Services in Thailand (KU FIRST), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS), The Thai Association for Biotechnology Industries etc. also participated in the event.

Dr Suthiweth T. Saengchantara, Director General, Department of Science Service, Ministry of Science and Technology said “Thailand has set out a policy to drive the country's economy with innovations through Research and Development. Industry 4.0 is one of our ambitious goal. The government has initiated many projects to support this policy such as Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi), Food Innopolis, Innovation Coupon, the list of Thai Innovation and Invention, Talent Mobility Program and the 300% tax exemption on R&D spending. These projects aim to attract more investments on the R&D in the targeted sectors, called S-curve, which also include Biotechnology and Life Science sectors. As a result, state-of-the-art instruments in the laboratory will be needed to advance and shape Thailand into the new innovation driven economy.

Thailand LAB International 2017 strongly reflects Thailand's potential to be a leading country for the Analytical & Laboratory Equipment in the region. The event provides specialists and experts with the latest laboratory solutions. It also connects industries, governments and professionals with new business partnership opportunities within the region. The collaborations could be made possible through a wide range of activities such as Lab International Forum, Bio Business Partnering, Bio Pitch & Partner, International Conference & Symposia, etc. I believe that the event could provide a true platform for networking of the participants from more than 47 countries around the globe. This event really helps promoting Science, Technology and Innovation in Asia region.”

Dr Nares Damrongchai, Chief Executive Officer - Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS) said “TCELS, as one of the co-organizers and show partners, has partnered with VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific to drive biotechnology business in Thailand and Asia Pacific by initiating Life Sciences & Bio Investment Asia since 2014 to achieve Thailand a world class center for life sciences innovation and investment.

Co-located with Thailand LAB INTERNATIONAL, Life Sciences & Bio Investment Asia has improved significantly with the strong content and engagement from industry leaders. This year, TCELS highlights “Bio Pitch & Partner” to promote life sciences innovation with investment and provide opportunities for life sciences startups to meet investors; “Challenges in Natural Products; Drug Discovery and Opportunities for Open Innovation” to discuss important issues in drug discovery and create a platform for open innovation; “APEC Bio-Medical Technology Commercialization Training Center (TCTC) Regional Program on Negotiation” to build the capacity of technology managers; “Bio Business Partnering” and more.”

Various conferences namely, Food Allergens: Practical management and regulation update for food catering and food services, Challenges in Natural Product, Drug Discovery and opportunities for open innovation, The 8^th National Conference in Toxicology (NCT8) and various other conferences were organized as a part of this event.

Teerayuth Leelakajornkij, Head of Science and Technology competence center of VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific Co., Ltd., said “Thailand LAB INTERNATIONAL is one of the leading market place for scientific and laboratory equipment and technology in South East Asia, connecting more than 330 leading exhibitors, from 30 countries with researchers, laboratory experts,  personnel and technicians, industry leaders, buyers from various fields providing new business opportunities and investment to Thailand and the region. Thailand is now promising with the investment of high technology of laboratory equipment and stronger position in the national capability towards Hub of ASEAN Laboratory.

The event has also provided technology platform for latest laboratory technique, application, trends and innovations with initiatives. Many exhibitors launched their new products for the South East Asia region. Importantly, trade show as knowledge platform indicated trends and direction of the industries with Quality Conference & Symposia organized by leading conference partners and industry experts. More than 50 topics were discussed in over 200 sessions by 160 speakers relating to Biotechnology, Biopharmaceutical, Veterinary Diagnostics, Toxicology, Medical Technology, Virology, Bio Safety, Lab Safety, Quality Control, Chemical Analysis, Laboratory Innovation, etc.

Having partnered with Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS), Thai Association for Biotechnology (Thai BIO), and Thai Society for Biotechnology (TSB), Teerayuth Leelakajornkij said “We would be co-developing of LIFE Sciences & BIO Investment Asia, focusing on bio-business and investment in Asia in particular to promote Thailand as the gateway of ASEAN’s Life Sciences and Asia’s Leading Destination of Biotechnology Investment.  Besides, the event has embraced LAB Safety Asia as exhibition for laboratory safety and occupational health, LAB Chem Asia as exhibition for chemical for research and laboratory as co-located in 2017 edition.”

Prapti Shah