Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce, presents DEmark Award 2016 to 67 winners for their outstanding designs and quality,

who will showcase their designs internationally at Good Design Exhibition 2016 in Tokyo, Japan

Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce, through Thailand Office of Innovation and Value Creation, is hosting an award presentation ceremony for Design Excellence Award 2016 or DEmark 2016, presenting awards to 67 outstanding Thai businesses and designers from 54 companies. DITP director will support these winners to showcase their designs at Good Design Exhibition 2016 at Tokyo Midtown Hall, Tokyo, Japan, during October 28 – November 3, 2016

Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Chantira Jimreivat Vivatrat, stated, “Design Excellence Award has been held annually based on DITP’s intention to promote Thailand’s export industry internationally in order to boost our economy and increase Thai people’s income, according to Thailand 4.0 strategy, the objective of which is to promote value-based economy. Over the years, DITP has focused on strengthening local businesses by connecting them to the global market. To do so, DIPT has encouraged innovation development and creative design to add value to businesses in Thailand. Design Excellence Award or DEmark is one of our strategies to elevate Thailand’s status to Thailand 4.0. DEmark is now in its ninth year. This year, the concept of DEmark is ‘Design Driven Business’, with an aim to raise awareness about creative innovation to make a difference, and to adapt businesses and SMEs to be more creative through adding design in their production process. This will help add value and advantages to Thai businesses in the international market. DEmark is a symbol that reflects locally and internationally recognized quality, and it also opens up opportunities for winners to be internationally acknowledged. Over the years, DITP has received support from Jetro and Japan Institute of Design Promotion (JDP) – the two organizations have sent G-Mark experts from Japan to join the panel of judges for DEmark, making DEmark an internationally recognized award.

This year, DITP also receives support from the private sector, such as Siam Piwat Company Limited. Through this partnership, the two organizations have signed an MOU to open Object of Desire Store (ODS) at Siam Discovery to sell DEmark products and other award-winning home decor products, more than 160 brands in total.

M.L. Kathathong Thongyai, Director Thailand Office of Innovation and Value Creation, Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, said, “DEmark 2016 received 616 entries from 330 companies this year, a 14% increase from the previous year. A total of 67 items from 54 companies have been awarded this year – 9 from Furniture category, 26 from Lifestyle category, 4 from Fashion Apparel/Leather Goods/Jewelry/Textile category, 9 from Industrial category, 6 from Food packaging/Health & Beauty Packaging category, and 13 from Font/Graphic on Surface/Digital Media/Identity Design category. Many first-time entries are awarded this year, particularly SMEs. This proves that Thai entrepreneurs and designers see the importance of adding value to their products, using creative design and innovation to make their products stand out and appeal to consumers based on analysis of future trends and consumer needs. The products meet the emotional and functional needs with their design and quality. It can be said that Thailand is among the best design product producers of Asean and of the world. The criteria are divided into five main aspects in accordance with consumer behavior in the global market today - 1) Design Story, 2) Creativity / Originality, 3) Emotion / Aesthetics, 4) Usability / Safety, 5) Society/ Environment/Sustainability/Universal Design. Therefore, products that have won a DEmark award are guaranteed to have great functional and emotional quality, and help inspire ideas among their users. This will help stimulate creativity among both creators and users. This year, a total of 36 items from 32 companies which have won DEmark 2016 awards are also given G-Mark, and will be showcased at Good Design Exhibition 2016 at Tokyo Midtown Hall, Tokyo, Japan, during October 28 – November 3, 2016, to present to the world the potential of Thai designers. It is a good opportunity for Thai entrepreneurs to gain recognition and network with international businesses, especially from countries with a great demand for creative products. This will help increase Thailand’s income. Additionally, all the 67 items which have won DEmark 2016 awards this year will be locally exhibited and sold at Bangkok International Gift Fair 2016 and Bangkok International Houseware Fair 2016 (BIG & BIH 2016) during October 19-23.”