The FIAAP, VICTAM & GRAPAS 2014 exhibitions and conferences closed in Bangkok last week and according to the organizers and visitors alike, it was the best yet. The exhibitions were sold out and over 15% bigger than the 2012 show, and with the event being supported by a comprehensive series of conferences all that was needed were the visitors, and they came.
The shows and conferences once again attracted senior trade visitors not just from Thailand but from throughout South and South East Asia, about 30% were from outside Thailand. Despite a number of adverse situations, the number of dedicated visitors to the shows was just over 6,100, and there were more conference delegates than in 2012. This was certainly evidenced in the Aquafeed.com conerence, Aquafeed Horizons Asia, which was filled to overflowing.
The general elections in India and Indonesia meant fewer visitors from those countries, but the biggest problem of all was the civil unrest in Thailand and especially in Bangkok. Many visitors were uneasy about travelling to Thailand after the negative publicity concerning the civil unrest and demonstrations in the country’s capital. However not one exhibitor cancelled or even asked to cancel. This, said the organizers, is evidence of the commitment by the exhibitors to the show and the future of the Asia/Pacific region’s industries.
The event organizers, Victam International of The Netherlands, held the first ever ASEAN Feed & Rice Symposium during the event. A full auditorium of industry VIPs listened attentively to the keynote speeches which were delivered by senior executives from the Asian Development Bank, the ASEAN Economic Community and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. These included issues such as the impact of the ASEAN free trade zone on the feed and rice industries and critical feed safety, security and sustainability issues facing the region in 2015 and beyond.
Another first for this event was the inaugurating session of the ASEAN Feed Summit, again organised by Victam International and hosted by the Thai Feed Mill Association. Held in closed session and chaired by Mr.Pornsil Patchrintanakul, President of the Thai Feed Mill Association, and moderated by
Ms. Alexandra de Athayde, IFIF Executive Director, brought together senior feed regulators and industry representatives from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
During the discussion a number of issues were identified for further potential co-operation, including capacity development for feed safety, efforts towards regulatory harmonisation, as well as the need to work with all stakeholders on agri-food chain on common challenges.
Mr. Mario Sergio Cutait, IFIF Chairman, welcomed “the opportunity to join this important Summit and to work towards closer collaboration in Asia.”
The Summit concluded in the formation of a Federation of ASEAN Feed Associations and the Chairman, Mr.Pornsil Patchrintanakul, was elected unanimously.
