The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is prioritising four flagship industries to enhance the country's Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry as a platform for national development.

Food security, creative soft power, health-tech innovation, and urban quality of life and mobility are four key industrial concepts that will need to be prioritised, TCEB president Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya said on Friday.

He was unveiling the organisation's future direction during the fourth MICE Day 2024 on Friday.

The purpose of the event, he said, was to commemorate Thailand's first national exhibition, which took place on April 26, 1882, as part of King Rama VI's royal ambition to promote and market Thai products in the global market.

Citing this year's theme "Connecting the World, Elevating the Economy", he said the role of MICE would not be only meeting and exhibition shows anymore, but also serve as a platform for national development by helping businesses connect.

He said each of the four flagship industries had the greatest potential to benefit Thailand's future economy.

Looking ahead, the TCEB chief expressed confidence that MICE will grow significantly as a result of the government's robust policies and strong budget support, attracting more global events to Thailand, including the 2026 annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Board of Governors.

According to the International Congress and Convention Association, Thailand was ranked seventh in Asia Pacific and second in ASEAN for the MICE industry last year. Meanwhile, UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has ranked Thailand as No. 1 in ASEAN and No. 4 in Asia for 2023.