Bangkok – Firmly in the driving seat as Southeast Asia’s No.1 fashion industry event, BIFF & BIL 2010 came to a successful close, welcoming a total of 3,822 trade visitors together with more than 26,000 general public.

The four-day fair was held from April 1-4 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani by the Royal Thai Government’s Department of Export Promotion (DEP), Ministry of Commerce, in collaboration with members of the Thai fashion industry and their ASEAN counterparts. With "Look East" being its theme, this year’s edition is titled BIFF & BIL 2010, ASEAN Integration Textiles – Apparel – Leather to reflect the combined strengths of ASEAN’s fashion industry.

DEP director general Srirat Rastapana confirms the optimism: "BIFF & BIL 2010 got a very positive feedback with the highest number of overseas visitors and buyers hailing from Japan, Vietnam, India and the USA, Cambodia, Philippine, China, Hong Kong, and ASEAN neighbors. The event managed to attract 595 companies from in and out of the country, totaling 1,022 booths on a space of over 45,000 square meters. Exhibitors and buyers have done more deals [at the Fair] than ever. It was incredibly useful that they have found it invaluable to have the chance to meet and catch up with key international contacts over a few packed days."

BIFF & BIL is the only tradeshow in Thailand and SEA dedicated to all facets of the fashion market, covering everything from textiles, garments, gems and jewelry, travel kits, leather goods, shoes, ready-to-wear street fashion items, sportswear, lingerie, fashion accessories, etc that ranges from upstream to downstream manufacture.

International trade visitors from all parts of the world flocked to the fair where they made use of the opportunity to gain an overview of the current fashion industry, new collections. Prominent brands from 10 ASEAN and Greater Asian countries like The SUPPORT Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (Public Organization) - SACICT, Combodia, HANDY HARTONO (Indosiesia), Laha (Laos), DOZO (Myanmar), DitaSandicoOng (Philippines), FUCHSIA LANE (Singapore), Kai (Thailand), THE LINE (Vietnam), Tamaki Niime (Japan) and Left & Right (Chaina) joined in the exploration of new market opportunities with such industry leaders as Saha Group, Street Fashion Runway, Designers’ Room, Micheal Angelo, Ethnic Thai, SC&F, SHAKA, Kongkiat, Paragon, Ferrie Fabbies etc.

Among highlights include a series of exclusive fashion shows by top local brands and those from overseas, the ASEAN Pavilion and the Japan Pavilion as well as the Asian Designer Congress, which was held for the first time in Thailand.

"By consolidating these local competencies into the regional cooperation under the ASEAN Integration initiative, it is believed that the fashion industry of ASEAN would have more access to the global market and gain greater competitive advantages," said Mrs Srirat.

She also commented, "The positive numbers and better-than-expected sales at BIFF & BIL 2010 prove the fashion industry is resilient and provides a positive indication for the future of Thai fashion industry as it positions itself to be a regional fashion center."