FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PR No. 045/97

10 June 1997

TDB AND STPB TEAM UP TO PROMOTE

SINGAPORE'S EXHIBITIONS CAPABILITY IN EUROPE

Singapore is developing to become an International Exhibition City by the next millennium. To enhance the country's economic competitiveness, Singapore hopes to further upgrade its exhibition management services industry.

This is the message that the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board (STPB) and the Singapore Trade Development Board (TDB) will share with trade promotion bodies, private sector companies and industry associations when they bring a 15-member combined team to Europe from 10 to 22 June 1997.

The mission, which is organised in co-operation with the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS), will visit Milan, Paris, Madrid and Barcelona.

This joint mission to Europe is the first in a series of Exhibition Management Services missions which will take place over the next year, and will cover other countries in the world. The mission series are one of strategies recommended by the Task Force of the Exhibition Management Services (EMS) Industry that was set up by TDB in 1996, comprising representatives from STPB, SACEOS and key industry players. The aim of the EMS mission series is to generate a greater level of international awareness of Singapore as the place for international trade fairs.

"We have targeted these European cities for the mission as they are renowned as leading cities for international trade fairs. We believe that there is a lot of potential in terms of encouraging trade associations and companies targetting the Asian market to use Singapore as a base for their regional events in Asia," said Mr Kevin Leong, Director, Exhibitions and Conventions, Singapore Tourist Promotion Board. "Missions such as this one are essential in maintaining a top-of-mind awareness of Singapore, which will help greatly in the future growth of the destination's exhibition industry," Mr Leong added.

Singapore is already renowned in Asia as a venue where quality international trade fairs are being staged. The central objective of the mission is to reinforce Singapore's standing internationally.

"Through such joint marketing efforts with the private sector, the Singapore government aims to promote Singapore as an International Exhibition City," commented Mr Yew Sung Pei, Deputy Director of TDB's Exhibitions and Marketing Business Division. "Our commitment to this national vision lies not just in terms of helping to build up the necessary infrastructure but also in developing Singapore's expertise in the exhibition management field. We will take on an integrated approach that is in line with the strategic thrusts mapped out by the EMS Task Force."

State-of-the-art exhibition sites, like the Singapore Suntec Centre and the World Trade Centre, have contributed to Singapore's success as a first-class exhibition venue. Singapore's status will be raised to an even higher level with the development of the new exhibition centre, Singapore Expo. The first phase is due to be completed in 1999, and will add 60,000 square metres to the country's current exhibition space.

In addition to representatives from the TDB and the STPB, the mission to Europe will include representatives from local private sector exhibition organisers, stand contractors, freight forwarders and venue operators. (A detailed list of the participants is attached as Annex A.)

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For press enquiries please contact:

Ms Eileen Chua

Trade Development Board

Public Relations Department

Tel: 65-4334940

Fax: 65-3378136

Ms Anna Rajah

Singapore Tourist Promotion Board

Corporate Communications Department

Tel: 65-8313809

Fax: 65-7369423

ANNEX A

LIST OF MEMBERS ON THE EMS MISSION TO EUROPE

1 Cityneon Displays (S) Pte Ltd

Representative : Ms Perveen Haleem, Marketing Communications

2 Conference & Exhibition Management Services Pte Ltd

Representative : Mr. Edward Liu, Managing Director

3 International Trade Fair (S) Pte Ltd

Representative : Ms Wong Yoke Lin, General Manager

4 IIR Exhibitions Pte Ltd

Representative : Mr. Anthony Chan, Managing Director Far East

5 Singapore Exhibition Services Pte Ltd

Representative : Ms Lindy Wee, Project Director

6 Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre

Representative : Mr. Lai Chee Kiong, Director, Conventions/Banquet

Ms Alice Yeo, Assistant Director, Business Development

7 Trans-Link Exhibition Forwarding Pte Ltd

Representative : Mr. Kwa Eng Kiat, Deputy Managing Director

Ms Rita Biswas, Business Development Manager

8 World Trade Centre Singapore

Representative : Ms Sheryl Lim, Commercial Officer

9 Singapore Trade Development Board

Representative : Mr. Malcolm Tham, Centre Director of Frankfurt Office

Mr. Tan Wee Kheng, Head, Exhibition & Marketing Business

Ms Lee Ai Ling, Trade Officer, Exhibition & Marketing Business

10 Singapore Tourist Promotion Board

Representative : Ms Elaine Ang, Assistant Director, Exhibitions & Conventions

Ms Amy Gay, Assistant Manager, Exhibitions