GlassTech Asia 2005 Opens and Aims to Earn 450 m Baht for Thailand

GlassTech Asia 2005, which opened yesterday at the Challenger Hall 3 of IMPACT, is projected to generate Baht 450 million in revenue for Thailand during its three days of exhibition from 30 November-2 December 2005.

Show organizers Conference & Exhibitions Management Services (CEMS) and Singapore Glass Association expect that the show's relocation to Bangkok from Singapore will reap benefits for exhibitors, visitors and Thailand.

The event is hosted by the Thai Glass Dealers Association and strongly supported by Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).

GlassTech Asia, the 5th International Glass Products, Glass Manufacturing, Processing & Materials Exhibition and Conference, will give Thailand's and the region's glass makers convenient access to relevant glass making technology and equipment from all over the world.

"The demand for flat glass around the world is set to increase by 3.9 percent annually to more than 44.1 billion square feet in 2006, while the flat glass production is forecast to increase by some 4.4 percent a year to 41.7 million metric tones in 2006," explained Edward Liu, managing director of CEMS.

"The situation is excellent for exhibitors and trade visitors of GlassTech Asia to seize this opportune moment to do business. GlassTech is the largest glass exhibition in ASEAN with 352 companies and organisations from 30 different countries showcasing their latest technologies on a 10,000 sqm exhibition area," Liu said.

He said the Singapore pavilion would be the largest country pavilion with 32 exhibitors occupying almost 1,700 sqm floor area.

Liu was confident the show would attract 8,000-10,000 trade and public visitors, particularly glass manufacturers of the Federation of Thai Industries, which would further help strengthen the HollowGlass Asia sector.

"Because this is a first time event organised in Thailand, we have a number of delegates from Asia-Pacific countries flying here specifically to seek out business opportunities," Liu said.

Peerapong Oeusoonthornwattana, director of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), said, "Presently, Thailand is one of the preferential locations for automotive and building industries. This has resulted in the increasing demand for the glass reinforcement market. The first staging of GlassTech Asia 2005 incorporating HollowGlass Asia 2005 to Thailand will be another broad platform for manufacturers and distributors of flat glass and other specialist glassware to meet global suppliers of glassmaking plant, equipment, and consumables in a-business-to-business environment. We are also very happy to know that the number of exhibitors and their corresponding space intake for this year is 30 percent bigger than the previous one held in Singapore."

Gan Chee Siong, chairperson of Singapore Glass Association, said "GlassTech Asia 2005 is the 5th presentation and by far is the biggest and having best format in its entire admirable seven-year run. HollowGlass Asia is incorporated with GlassTech Asia 2005. The two events allow the showcasing of the glass industry in its full entirety, from flat glass to hollow glass."

"GlassTech Asia 2005 is designed for architects, automobile manufacturers, automotive glass manufacturers, building contractors, distributors & agents, engineers, glaziers, interior designers, property developers, glass manufacturing, machinery & parts suppliers/manufacturers, window & façade suppliers/manufacturers, and glass fabricators," said Mr Gan.

GlassTech Asia 2005 will be a great time for students of various educational institutions in the field of engineering, architecture and interior designs to learn about technology related to their academic course.

GlassTech Asia 2005 is supported by Peninsula Malaysia Glass & Mirrors Dealers Association (PPKCSM), Philippines Chamber of Glass & Aluminum Ind Inc (PCGAI), Australian Glass & Glazing Association (AGGA), Italian Association of Glass-Processing Machinery and Accessory Suppliers (GIMAV), Glass & Glazing Federation(GGF) and National Glass Association (NGA).