Department of Intellectual Property Trains Thai GI Entrepreneurs to Penetrate Chinese and Japanese Markets

The Department of Intellectual Property is hosting a training program titled 'GI Next Generation: Opening GI Markets and Creating Opportunities in China and Japan' to equip a new generation of GI entrepreneurs to penetrate the Chinese and Japanese markets.

Deputy Director-General Wiroj Jongklawanichsuk of the Department of Intellectual Property stated that he has been assigned by Director-General Ormun Sraptaweedham to chair the opening of the 'GI Next Generation' training program, which aims to open geographical indication (GI) product markets and create opportunities in China and Japan.

This represents another proactive initiative of the department aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of Thai GI entrepreneurs in global markets. The program focuses on enhancing knowledge in marketing, product standards, and exporting GI products to target markets.

Under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Sutheerathampun, the initiative emphasizes strengthening SMEs and communities by leveraging GI as a mechanism for community economic development. This is paired with aggressive marketing promotion both domestically and internationally to increase trade opportunities and improve the competitiveness of Thai products over the long term.

The effort also aims to increase the value of agricultural products through elevating GI products, which are predominantly agricultural goods and processed agricultural products with high quality, connection to their origin, and distinctive local identity that is difficult to imitate. These characteristics encourage consumers to pay premium prices for the added value and differentiation of these products.

Wiroj Jongklawanichsuk stated that China and Japan are promising target markets with high consumer purchasing power and strong emphasis on product quality and product storytelling, which aligns perfectly with the strengths of GI products. This presents an excellent opportunity to leverage these competitive advantages to add value and propel Thai GI products into global markets sustainably.

For this training session, the department has invited expert lecturers to share knowledge and experience covering product standard preparation, important trade requirements and regulations, international shipping, opportunities and trends in premium markets, marketing strategy planning, and online sales channels. The training will include over 50 GI entrepreneurs from across the country, enabling them to apply this knowledge effectively in business development and market expansion. This will help elevate Thai GI products to compete competitively in international markets.

The GI Next Generation training also plays an important role in building cooperation networks among GI entrepreneurs nationwide, strengthening their business operations, and driving Thai GI products toward sustainable global market competitiveness.

The department will continue promoting and developing GI products by emphasizing quality control and upstream production to maintain Thai GI products' standards and distinctive local identity as key competitive advantages. This will build confidence among both domestic and international consumers, serving as the foundation for elevating GI products to premium market levels.

Currently, Thailand has 256 GI products generating a market value exceeding 115,979 million baht. Of these, 212 products have established quality control systems, representing 82.8% of all Thai GI products.

There are 17,983 entrepreneurs operating through systems that meet quality standards and are authorized to use the Thai GI trademark, reflecting the strength of Thailand's GI product development and protection system and its potential for long-term expansion into international markets.