Commerce Ministry Hosts NeEC Expo 2026 to Boost Northeastern SMEs to Global Stage

The Department of International Trade is hosting the NeEC Expo 2026 in Khon Kaen to support local SMEs and provide them with international market access. Noppadon Kanthamasut, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Trade, led the event as part of an urgent mission to help entrepreneurs affected by conflicts along the Thai-Cambodian border and floods in Southern Thailand. The expo will feature over 120 booths from Thai and Lao entrepreneurs, including business matching sessions and seminars focused on brand development and market trends. The event is scheduled from January 29 to February 1, 2026, at the Khon Kaen International Convention and Exhibition Center. Key activities include product exhibitions, business networking opportunities, professional seminars on topics like "Techniques for Taking Local Brands to the Global Market", and discussions about Chinese market trends in 2026. The event is a collaborative effort involving central government departments, regional offices, and partner organizations like agricultural and development banks. The primary goal is to enhance the capabilities of SMEs, create new market channels, and support economic development from the grassroots level to regional and international growth.