Blue Flag Event Elevates Thai-Laos Business Partnerships, Closing Over 1,000 Million Baht in First Day

Jirawut Suwanarat, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade (DIT), revealed that the ministry has upgraded the Blue Flag event from selling discounted goods to becoming a platform for business networking and trade partnerships. The event focused on connecting Thai and Laotian entrepreneurs, with 14 business pairs signing contracts totaling 1,067,372,000 baht. Products included agricultural goods like red onions, tamarind, sweet potatoes, peanuts, fresh chili, coffee, fish sauce, and ground fermented fish, which attracted significant Laotian buyer interest. Consumer products like herbal shampoo, massage oil, and inhalers were also popular, with Laotian buyers requesting annual purchase agreements. The event aimed to support border area entrepreneurs and help reduce living costs by offering over 2,000 product items at up to 60% discounts across 200 booths.