Central Group and MOIT team up to showcase Vietnamese products in Bangkok
Xem Tiếng Việt 
Ho Chi Minh City/Bangkok 10 July 2016: Leading regional retailer Central Group in conjunction with the Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade today declared the ‘Vietnamese Goods in Thailand Fair’ open in Bangkok’s largest shopping center, Central World.
The fair sees a showcase of some of Vietnam’s finest products on show to the 550,000 square meter mall’s estimated 150,000 guests per day, along with an assortment of Vietnamese foods.
The ribbon-cutting event was attended by Vietnam’s Deputy Ministry for Industry and Trade, the Honorable Ms. Ho Thi Kim Thoa; Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Thailand, H.E. Mrs. Apiradi Tantraporn; Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tat Thanh; Chairman of Thai-Vietnam Friendship Association, H.E. Mr. Prachuab Chaiyasarn; Central Group Chairman of Advisory Board, Mr. Sudhitham Chirathivat; Central Group Vietnam Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Philippe Broianigo; Central Food Retail Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Pascal Billaud; Ms Dinh My Loan, Chairwoman of the Retailer’s Association of Vietnam; Chairman Thailand-Vietnam Business Council, Mr. Sanan Angubolkul; Secretary General, Thailand-Vietnam Business Council, Mr. Rakesh Singh, as well as various representatives from business and industry from both countries.
The showcase included products from leading Vietnamese enterprises such as Binh Phu Furniture Company which recently announced a $1.2 million deal to export its wares to Central Group for a forthcoming six-star hotel in the Thai capital. Also represented at the exhibition were leading producer of fine porcelain and chinaware Minh Long, Vietnamese brewery Saigon Beer, Dien Quang Electrical, textile company Hoa Tho, food producers Bich Chi, Hoan Chau and Tan Hue Vien, Tam Lan tea company and Highland Coffee.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for us to take Vietnam’s culture and products to the people of Thailand, and underscores our company wide commitment to increase opportunities for Vietnamese companies to increase market share beyond their borders thanks to our network of stores and companies around the world,” said Central Group spokesperson, Mr. Sudhitham Chirathivat.
To this end, Central operates the CGV Sourcing and Export Office to support and promote Vietnamese expertise abroad. It represents 70 Vietnamese suppliers in agriculture, industry and increasingly consumer goods, assisting them to export to over 20 countries. CGV Sourcing assists with everything from product development and QC to compliance to logistics for these enterprises.
Central Group, which commenced operations in Vietnam in 2011, has been a sustained contributor to the country, running extensive community programs through all of the brands and companies it represents in the market. The company – which currently employs over 15,000 Vietnamese people – views this as yet another way in which it is able to help Vietnam develop sustainable and growing enterprises in rapidly integrating South East Asia.
“This will be the first time the Vietnam Fair has ventured to Thailand and the twelfth staging of the event overall, having showcased the nation in numerous countries in the past,” said Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, the Honorable Ms. Ho Thi Kim Thoa. “It is an honor to be in Bangkok today to cut the ribbon on this fantastic showcase of our culture, our cuisine, and our capacity as an exporter to the region. We look forward to partnering with Central Group more in future for such exhibitions around the world.”
Also attending were three Vietnamese chefs, including pho-master Mr. Vu Ngoc Duc, banh mi prodigy Ms. Ho Thi Trang, and local baking legends Mr. Hoàng Trọng Thành and Mr. Huynh Tin Buu.
QUOTES FROM OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Mr. Philippe Broianigo, Chief Executive Officer, Central Group:
“I have been calling Vietnam home for a little under two years now, and have been honored to witness first hand the rapid development of this wonderful country. It is an honor then today to be able to share a little of my new home with our friends in Thailand, and provide an opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to showcase their produce and products to a wider audience in Thailand and beyond.”
Phoom Chirathivat, Representative of Big C Vietnam:
“Big C has a long and storied history in Vietnam that has centered around the growth and sustainability of Vietnamese manufacturers, farmers, fishermen and so forth. Big C has long been the flag-bearers of the Vietnam Fair, working with the Ministry of Industry and Trade for over a decade. It is tremendously rewarding then to see this program expand to Thailand in conjunction with its new partners at Central Group.”
Mr. Hoàng Trọng Thành – Pastry Chef:
“This will be my first trip to Bangkok, and I am looking forward to sharing a wide array of fine baked goods, along with traditional Vietnamese banh mi – one of my nation’s signature dishes – with customers from all over the globe at Central World in the coming weeks.”
Ms Dinh My Loan, Chairwoman of the Retailer’s Association of Vietnam:
“Vietnam as well as for leading enterprises that have a strong reputation developed over numerous years in the retail sector for offering exceptional customer service
Central World is such an astonishing development – a draw-card for visitors to Thailand from around the world as well as a centerpiece for Thai local retailing – I am looking forward to sharing my experiences from this special occasion, the Vietnam Fair in Bangkokwith our membership.”
Ms. Nguyen Thuy Trang, General Director of Binh Phu Company:
“It is an honor to be working with Central Group and showing our products to all of the guests here at Central World. We have been working closely with Central Group, supplying US$1.2 million in furniture for its forthcoming six-star hotel, and today offers us even more opportunities to show our products to new potential customers here in Thailand. It is a tremendous opportunity for us as a company, and indeed for the whole nation of Vietnam to stand proudly behind the products we make at home.”
About Central Group Vietnam
Central Group Vietnam (CGV) was established in Vietnam in July 2011 and is part of leading Asian retail and property group, Central Group. The company’s Vietnam presence spans numerous industries including electrical, sporting, fashion, department stores, hospitality, e-commerce and supermarkets and presently employs over 15,000 employees nationwide. The Group has built an extensive network of local partners that has seen it enter into various strategic relationships with electrical store Nguyen Kim Trading (2015); northern rural supermarket chain Lan Chi (2015); national supermarket chain Big C; and leading online retailer Zalora (2016). In addition to this, the company represents a diverse portfolio of retail brands nationally.
The Group presently operates over 140 stores nationwide, including 47 supermarkets, 4 department stores and concept stores, 32 sport stores, 31 fashion stores, 1 hotels, 21 electronics stores, 3 E-commerce sites, and 1 wholesale business, across six business units including Fashion Group, Nguyen Kim Electronics, Big C Supercenter, Nguyen Kim E-commerce and Zalora online destination, Lan Chi Mart and Centara Hotel & Resort Management.
With an eye toward sustainable development, the company’s success goes beyond business achievement but also a commitment to enrich and enhance the quality of life for people in Vietnam, while helping to develop the nation’s prosperity.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.supersportsvietnam.com
http://lanchi.vn/
