Thai entrepreneurs will be given a new online and offline market channel to boost their trade during the sluggish economy with the AEC Trade Centre-Pantip Wholesale Destination, scheduled to open on Nov 30 in Bangkok.
The centre is inside a newly renovated building in the now-defunct Pantip Plaza, a former hub of IT products in the Pratunam area. It covers an area of 30,000 square metres.
Developer Asset World Corporation (AWC), recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) to allow FTI members to sell their products at the centre and through its online platform.
"FTI will link manufacturers and its e-commerce web [ftisbusiness.com] with the AEC Trade Centre-Pantip Wholesale Destination," FTI chairman Supant Mongkolsuthree said during the MoU signing ceremony.
The cooperation is aimed to support 45 industrial sectors under FTI, including food, cosmetics, steel and iron, garment and textiles and dietary supplements, he said.
They will have a new opportunity to promote their products through the centre.
With the impact of Covid-19, entrepreneurs need more help to support their businesses, said Mr Supant.
FTI expects the centre will help match their products with prospective Thai and foreign customers. This will add value to their businesses in the long term.
The AEC Trade Centre-Pantip Wholesale Destination is among the latest development projects of AWC, the business arm of TCC Group, the conglomerate owned by billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakd.
TCC Group has invested in various businesses, including working spaces and lifestyle destinations as well as those in hospitality.
AWC chief executive Wallapa Traisorat said the AEC Trade Centre-Pantip Wholesale Destination will serve as a hub to support business people who want to expand their markets overseas.
It is a new business model offering wholesale service solutions, including consulting services for import and export, as well as facilities such as seminar rooms, studios and live-streaming services.
"AWC will waive rents for entrepreneurs for six months to help them during the pandemic," she said.
AWC also partnered with Yiwu-Zhejiang China Commodities City Group (CCC Group), developer of the world's largest wholesale market in Yiwu, China.
CCC Group will select products sold at the AEC Trade-Pantip Wholesale Destination for sale in Chinese markets.
"The move will connect Thai manufacturers and traders with global markets and enhance Thailand's competitiveness," she said.