ITMA PRESS CONFERENCE: INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION CITY

Mr Yew Sung Pei
Director, Marketing Services, TDB

Good morning, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

I am pleased to share with you Singapore Trade Development Board’s role in developing Singapore as an International Exhibition City (IEC).

TDB’s  vision is to develop Singapore as an International City of Global Trade. The key functions of TDB are trade policy, trade facilitation and trade promotion. To facilitate Singapore’s global trade expansion, TDB has a network of 33 overseas trade offices. I shall not elaborate further as they have already been covered in the video clip shown earlier.

In trade promotion for the next 5 years, TDB aims to internationalise Singapore enterprises and make Singapore the global centre for trade hub services. Our Global Trade Hub Services Programme will attract and anchor players in international trading, transport and logistics, and last but not least, exhibitions.

Singapore possesses the essential qualities necessary to be an International Exhibition City. It is strategically located in the centre of Asia. It also has excellent land, sea and air transport infrastructure. The ease in which goods can be cleared through the customs is another plus point.

Singapore also has world class exhibition facilities. Our Singapore Expo and Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre are modern, purpose-built and well equipped. We also have a vibrant pool of professional exhibition organisers, professional conference organisers and suppliers.

The International Exhibition City (IEC) Programme is administered by TDB. It is a strategic tool to encourage new international trade fairs and conferences to be staged in Singapore, nurture credible trade fairs and conferences in Singapore to become leading industry events of the region, and raise the standard of trade fairs and conferences in Singapore.

Accreditation is an important component of the International Exhibition City, as it enables potential trade fair participants to identify the quality events among the many that are held throughout the year.

Events endorsed or supported under the IEC Programme should be professionally organised and of a quality that meets international standards, able to attract large number of international exhibitors and buyers, supported by their relevant industry or trade associations, and have the potential to develop into a leading show of international standing.

The categories of accreditation under the IEC Programme are Approved International Fair (AIF), Approved Trade Conference and Events supported by TDB.

Approved International Fair (AIF) is awarded to trade fairs, which have wide international and commercial appeal in their respective industry. These Events are regional, if not international events, for their industries.

For Events Supported by TDB, we selectively support strategic trade fairs and forums, which have the potential to be internationally recognised for their respective industries. This is aimed at helping exhibition organisers develop trade fairs, which can achieve AIF status.

I am pleased to inform you that ITMA, is the first new Event to be accorded AIF. Indeed, I am confident that ITMA will be the first new-comer to occupy all six halls in the Sing Expo. This award recognises ITMA’s potential to become a leading show in the region for the textile machinery industry.

Our newly launched International Exhibition City (IEC) website contains information on our IEC Programme, exhibition venues, show profiles and audited statistics, organisers and suppliers, and more. Do pay a visit to our website at http://www.singapore-exhibitions.com

Thank you.