Taking its lead from the One Belt One Road initiative, the Asia Lifestyle Expo will arrive in Bangkok next year. This brand new platform will promote a free flow of trade, encourage market integration and forge new ties within the Asean region.

The three-day trade expo, scheduled for August next year, will provide retailers, trading companies and online sellers an opportunity to import lifestyle products to Asean and export Asean-made products regionally and globally. There will be 500 booths showcasing products ranging from gifts, consumer electronics, toys, accessories, kitchenware, arts and crafts as well as homeware.

Asean has experienced a rapid economic growth – its GDP is expected to rise to US$4.7 trillion (Bt152.45 trillion) in 2020 from $2.22 trillion in 2016 and the middle class is expected to expand from 190 million people in 2012 to 400 million by 2020. Demand is also expected to move towards higher quality products.

Asia Lifestyle Expo 2019 will shine a light on Asean products and provide a platform to support Asean businesses within the competitive global market.

MIH LAUNCHES FAST BROADBAND IN YANGON

Myanmar Information Highway (MIH) has introduced the fastest fibre-optic Internet broadband for businesses, offering 100Gbps capacity covering 23 townships and main buildings in Yangon.

Sunti Medhavikul, MIH managing director, said this infrastructure is one of the keys to drive businesses in digital era.

According to Internetworldstat 2017, Myanmar has Internet penetration of 33.4 per cent, while International Telecommunication Union (ITU)’s 2017 report showed that fixed broadband subscription penetration in Myanmar was only 0.7 per cent.

This means most Internet users are relying on mobile Internet.