ARDA with University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce organized the seminar on Thailand and the center of the natural rubber glove industry: A dream come true or a fantasy

12 October 2022, Agricultural Research Development Agency (Public Organization) with the Center for International Trade Studies, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce organized the seminar Thailand and the center of the natural rubber gloves industry: A dreams come true or a fantasy. Which is one of the activities under the strategic planning project to enhance the potential of being the center of the world natural rubber gloves industry by Associate Professor Dr. Aat Pisanwanich, Director of the Center for International Trade Studies, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce mention objectives of the project and, Ms.Ciriklon Viwallvong, Deputy Director of Agricultural Research Development Agency opening speech.

Currently, the situation of the COVID-19 epidemic has resulted in the demand for rubber gloves in the world increasing from 2022 and 2023 , the Association of Rubber Gloves Manufacturers of Malaysia forecasts that the world demand for rubber gloves will grow by a hundred 10-15 times compared to the pre-epidemic period. In addition, Thailand is the world's large rubber product. In 2021, Thailand is the highest para-rubber production number 1 in the world output of 4.84 million tons, equivalent to 34.75% of the world's para-rubber production of 13.93 million tons, and domestic rubber consumption. In 2021 for 0.93 million tons accounted for 19.13 percent of rubber production. In the past, Thailand preferred to export para -rubber in the form of primarily processed rubber as raw material to rubber users in foreign countries such as China, Malaysia, Japan, the United States, and European countries etc. In the past, Thailand preferred to export para-rubber in the form of primarily processed rubber as raw material to rubber users in foreign countries such as China, Malaysia, Japan, the United States, and European countries, etc. However, the export of primarily processed rubber causes a loss of opportunity to process rubber products to add value. If Thailand promotes the use of domestic rubber to add more value to processing, it will reduce its dependence on exports as raw materials. And when considering the readiness of rubber raw materials, if various sectors involved integrate into the development of readiness in processing and marketing will be able to help push Thailand to develop as a hub in the processing of rubber products piloting the product of natural rubber gloves will help the whole rubber system of Thailand to be more sustainable.

This seminar is a dissemination of the study results of the research project. The main aim is to present various strategies is bring Thailand to the center of the world's natural rubber gloves studying strategies to create trade and investment opportunities. To increase the potential of the natural rubber glove industry is linked to latex, and natural rubber creates trade value for one of Thailand's important economic crops at the Co-Working Space Room, Building 10, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.