TCEB SIGNS MOU WITH CITY OF CHIANG MAI

       Sports and Tourism Ministry plans to build new convention centre by 2012
       The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with Chiang Mai municipality.
       The move is aimed at turning the cityy into a hub for the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions industry.
       It comes after the TCEB agreed to a similar collaboration with Pattaya in late May.
       The TCEB also plans to sign a similar MoU with Phuket.
       Chairman MR Disnadda Diskul said the priority was to develop human resources in preparation for the growth of Chian Mai's MICE industry.
       Besides this agreement with the municipality, the TCEB has teamed up with nine northern univesities to launch the MICE 4 Youth project, aimed at fostering a better unerstanding among young adults of the role and importance of the MICE industry.
       The next step will be to send university lecturers for training at Vienna and Barcelona's international convention and exhibition bureaus, which are allied with the TCEB.
       Yesterday's MoU stipulates the TCEB and Chiang Mai municipality will cooperate iin promiting MICE activities in the city.
       Both sides will share MICE knowledge and information with each other and other relevant organisations.
       As well, both parties will work towards development of infrastructure, communications and facilities that will enhance Chiang Mai's competitiveness in the international MICE market.
       Amornphan Nimanan, governor of Chiang Mai province, said the agreement would allow the municipality to bid on more international events, with an emphasis on emerging markets like China, India and the Middle East.
       Meanwhile, the Tourism and Sports Ministry will in the next few months sign a construction contract to build an international conention and exhibition centre in Chiang Mai that can accommodate 5,000 participants. If all goes to plan, construction will start early next year and be finished in 2011.
       Amornphan said to sustain the industry's developality would form a "MICE cluster" that would formulate both short-and longterm strategies. The clusters will consist of relevant public - and well as academics.