ARANEE JAIIMSIN

World Smart SMEs 2007 has resulted in 131 business matches between global buyers and local SME operators, according to the event's organiser, the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (Osmep).

Osmep director-general Jhitraporn Techacharn said the event held from Nov 12 to 14 was aimed at creating business opportunities and expanding networks for SME operators.

A total of 160 SME operators in Thailand participated in business matchmaking sessions, with 131 selected to be suppliers by buyers, such as Carrefour Global Sourcing Thailand, Universal Trading and Import Export Co, and Li and Fung (Thailand) Co.

Carrefour was sourcing goods from 12 local textile manufacturers and 35 food producers to join its supply chain, while Universal Trading entered business partnerships with 45 companies.

Li and Fung (Thailand) has made business deals with seven furniture manufacturers and one ceramic maker.Halal Science Center agreed to provide consultancy to 25 SME operators to develop their production processes to comply with halal food processing regulations and strict manufacturing procedures.

Thai Rubber Latex Corp (Thailand) found six partners from the event as well.

Mrs Jhitraporn said that all selected SME operators were capable in logistics management.

Around 98% of the products selected by global purchasers were made by local SME operators.

A representative from Carrefour Global Sourcing Thailand said the company met 47 SME operators from the food and garment industries at the event, and it found out that more than 10% of SMEs participating were able to potentially expand their businesses.

Carrefour has been exporting Thai products to Europe, Asia and South American countries for years.

Mrs Jhitraporn said most of the participants were satisfied with the event in terms of its venue, facilities, advance co-ordination and service efficiency.

''Only four SME operators complained that timeframe for each business negotiation round was too short,'' she said.

Nevertheless, she explained the organisers needed to limit each negotiation to 30 minutes in order to accommodate the large number of operators joining the business matchmaking sessions.