DFT and OSMEP lead 80 Thai SMEs to Hong Kong for Global Expansion

Khaosod•Economy•3d ago

Reader Briefing

The Department of Foreign Trade and OSMEP led 80 Thai SMEs to Hong Kong from August 13–17, 2026, to enhance international competitiveness.

•The Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) and the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) organized the Local to Global (DFT+) project.
•80 Thai SMEs from food, beverage, processed agriculture, consumer goods, and lifestyle sectors visited Hong Kong between August 13–17, 2026.
•The initiative included business matching with over 60 partners from Hong Kong and China.
•Immediate trade value at the event exceeded 100 million baht, with an expected total of 350 million baht within one year.

Overview

•The Local to Global (DFT+) project took place in Hong Kong from August 13–17, 2026.
•Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) and Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) led 80 Thai SMEs to explore the Hong Kong market.
•Chanintra Rimcharoen, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, headed the delegation of SMEs and government and private sector executives.
•Participants visited the HKTDC Hong Kong Food Pro 2026 exhibition and the Thailand Pavilion of the National Innovation Agency (NIA).
•Business matching activities with over 60 partners from Hong Kong and China resulted in over 100 million baht in immediate trades.
•The delegation studied retail networks and partners including HotMaxx, Yuan Ji Lin, HUI KANG Supermarket Hong Kong, and PARKnSHOP.
•Participants visited the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) to study Green & Smart Living technology and innovation.
•The project aims to provide Thai SMEs with direct market experience and business networks to transition from local to global markets.

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Key Quotes

Arada Fuangthong

"The cooperation between the Department of Foreign Trade and OSMEP under the DFT+ project aims for entrepreneurs to experience the real market from seeing the market, meeting partners, and learning real trade."

ความร่วมมือระหว่างกรมการค้าต่างประเทศและ สสว. ภายใต้โครงการ DFT+ มุ่งให้ผู้ประกอบการได้สัมผัสตลาดจริงตั้งแต่ เห็นตลาด – พบคู่ค้า – เรียนรู้การค้าจริง

Key Entities

Organization

Department of Foreign Trade(กรมการค้าต่างประเทศ)

A department under the Ministry of Commerce that co-organized the DFT+ project to help Thai SMEs enter global markets.

Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion(สำนักงานส่งเสริมวิสาหกิจขนาดกลางและขนาดย่อม)

An organization (OSMEP) that partnered with the Department of Foreign Trade to lead 80 Thai SMEs to Hong Kong.

National Innovation Agency(สำนักงานนวัตกรรมแห่งชาติ)

The organization (NIA) that managed the Thailand Pavilion at HKTDC Hong Kong Food Pro 2026.

Hong Kong Trade Development Councilℹ️

An organization (HKTDC) that provided specialized lectures and insights on the Hong Kong market and Greater Bay Area.

HotMaxx

A retail network in Hong Kong visited by Thai SMEs to study distribution channels.

Yuan Ji Lin

A retail partner in Hong Kong visited by Thai SMEs.

HUI KANG Supermarket Hong Kong

A supermarket in Hong Kong visited by Thai SMEs to study consumer behavior.

PARKnSHOPℹ️

A retail network in Hong Kong visited by Thai SMEs to study product presentation.

Hong Kong Productivity Councilℹ️

An organization (HKPC) where Thai SMEs studied Green & Smart Living technology.

Place

Hong Kong(ฮ่องกง)ℹ️

The destination for the Local to Global project where Thai SMEs conducted business matching and market research.

Greater Bay Areaℹ️

A region where business opportunities were presented to Thai SMEs during the project.

Policy

Local to Global (DFT+) Project(โครงการสร้างเครือข่ายความร่วมมือผู้ประกอบการ SMEs ให้มีศักยภาพและสามารถแข่งขันได้ในตลาดต่างประเทศ (Local to Global) หรือ DFT+)

A project designed to create networks and enhance the competitiveness of Thai SMEs in international markets.

Person

Arada Fuangthong(นางอารดา เฟื่องทอง)

Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade.

Chanintra Rimcharoen(นางชนินทร หริ่มเจริญ)

Deputy Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade and head of the delegation to Hong Kong.