BANGKOK - METALEX 2009, ASEAN's largest International Machine Tools and Metalworking Technologies Trade Exhibition and Conference, opened here yesterday with the participation of 2,700 companies from 50 countries.

The four-day exhibition will showcase about 4,000 products such as machine tools, sheet metalworking equipment, welding technology, factory automation and measuring instruments. Eleven international pavilions from Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Germany and Singapore have been set up at the expo.

Revolutionary new products are on display at the expo, such as the CNC machine, which can cut metal into any required shape and technologies from Germany and Japan.

"The automotive, electronic and electrical appliance industries have grown continuously over the past few years in Thailand as a result of the government's drive to make Thailand a regional hub for industrial parts manufacturing," said Charnchai Chairungruang, the Thai minister of industry at the opening ceremony.

The annual import value of machinery to Thailand is 400 million baht (US$12 million).

The Thai minister added that industrial expos were therefore crucial to the development of the region's competitiveness because they would help Thai industries grow and become more efficient.

Nichap Yoswee, managing director of Reed Tradex company - the exhibition's organiser - said industrial expos in the region were vital to ASEAN's development.

"METALEX is widely accepted as the technology expo leader because of the great variety of technologies on display. The atmosphere is conducive to promoting business negotiations," she said.

The exhibition is expected to attract about 60,000 visitors and generate about 6 billion baht ($180 million) in business transactions, she said.

METALEX is being held at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) and runs until Sunday. - VNS

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