The government as well as local private companies are being invited to participate in VIV Asia 2011, a major international agricultural trade show that will be held in Bangkok on March 9 to 11 next year.

Teerayuth Leelakajornkij, senior project manager of the organizing company, cited the benefits that the local companies will reap from participating in the expo that has been held in the last 18 years. At a press conference in a Makati hotel, he said that Philippine products and services would be showcased not only to the Thai visitors but also more importantly to the foreign buyers who are looking for Southeast Asian suppliers.

In the latest VIV Asia held in 2009, some 22,000 visitors many of them from India, Middle East, China and many other countries attended the event. More than 600 exhibitors from Thailand and other countries showcased their products and services in the show.

In the earlier years of its staging, VIV Asia was largely focused on the poultry industry. This has been significantly expanded to include piggery, dairy, aquaculture and other special fields of interest. Next year, VIV Asia is hosting Feedtech-Croptech Asia as an initiative that will highlight opportunities in the feedmilling industry.

Teerayuth said that throughout Asia, a true investment boom is taking place in technology and equipment for the milling, processing, storage and handling of raw materials for the purpose of feed, food and fuel. The rapidly growing population, the increased level of income and the focus on food safety requires significant investments. Next to feed, impressive trends also indicate serious investments in milling equipment for the food and fuel sectors. He can be contacted at teerayuth@qsncc.com.