Singapore: The Thai Ministry of Commerce is taking significant strides to introduce six unique Thai Geographical Indication (GI) products into Singapore's premium market, aiming to open avenues for business collaborations and expand the consumer base. These products are rooted in local traditions and emphasize their quality and distinctive identity as key selling points. The Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property noted that the products garnered a favorable response at the APAC Food and Beverage Expo 2026, with plans for further discussions with trading partners and importers to broaden market reach.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Oramon Sapthaveetham, the Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property, spearheaded the initiative to bring six Thai GI product entrepreneurs to the APAC Food and Beverage Expo 2026 at Singapore EXPO. The event, designed to heighten awareness and foster trade opportunities for Thailand's distinctive products, saw a steady stream of visitors over its three-day duration, culminating in sales surpassing 5 million baht. Among the most sought-after items were the Pak Phanang Ruby Pomelo and Photharam Pickled Radish.
The six GI products showcased in Singapore include Sang Yod rice from Phatthalung, Pak Phanang Ruby Pomelo from Nakhon Si Thammarat, Bo Kluea Nan mountain salt, Photharam Pickled Radish from Ratchaburi, Ban Phaeo fragrant coconuts from Samut Sakhon, and Pa La-oo durian from Prachuap Khiri Khan. Each product boasts unique characteristics tied to their geographical origins, offering Singaporean consumers a blend of quality and cultural heritage, factors that are pivotal in this market.
Ms. Oramon highlighted that these products' distinctiveness is deeply connected to their origins and geographical influences. Singapore, recognized for its appetite for quality food and agricultural goods, presents a ripe opportunity for these GI products to stand out by emphasizing their quality and origin stories.
In a bid to further these efforts, on August 24th, the Department of Intellectual Property organized a business matching event with 15 importers and business operators in Singapore. Held at the Thai Trade Center, the event was graced by Ambassador Vorapanee Damrongmani, the Thai Ambassador to Singapore. The discussions focused on market requirements, import standards, product specifications, pricing, and distribution strategies, equipping entrepreneurs with vital insights to navigate the Singapore market. The initiative is anticipated to yield an initial business value of at least 30 million baht.
Promoting GI products aligns with the government and Ministry of Commerce's policy to enhance trade, tourism, and community economic development. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Ms. Supajee Suthamphan, has prioritized the development of GI products to boost community incomes and foster trade and tourism growth.
Ms. Oramon emphasized that the international promotion of GI products encompasses more than mere sales; it involves sharing the rich narratives of their origins, the wisdom behind their production, and the lifestyles of their communities. This approach aims to extend interest from the products to their production sources, promoting cultural tourism and local wisdom, in line with the Visitor Economy concept that ties visitor spending to local goods and services.
The Department of Intellectual Property remains committed to advancing the commercial use of GI products while safeguarding intellectual property rights both domestically and internationally. This strategy seeks to enhance the value of agricultural and community products, elevate farmers' and entrepreneurs' incomes, and leverage the unique identities of different regions for trade, tourism, and community economic development.