The 32nd edition of Metalex, Thailand’s leading trade show, officially opened on Wednesay 21 November in Bangkok, with the first-ever European pavilion at the fair, which hosted 14 innovative European companies. It was inaugurated by Isabelle De Stobbeleir, Trade Counsellor at the European Union Delegation to Thailand.

She said: "The backbone of the EU economy relies on extremely dynamic and innovative SMEs. This has been confirmed, again, during my visit to each company of the EU pavilion.

"The creativity, knowledge and ‘state of the art’ solutions developed and proposed by these entrepreneurs are impressive.

"This first EU pavilion at Metalex is extremely timely considering Thailand's move towards innovation-driven industries.

“The EU offers many opportunities for Thailand to support its industrial transformation and its efforts to build a sustainable economy."

The European Pavilion showcases examples of how small and medium-sized European companies are driving innovation in the machinery and metal-working sectors, and aims to make a global impact under the EIC SME Instrument – Overseas Trade Fair (OTF) Programme, funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020.


Metalex comprises eight thematic shows in the machinery and metal-working sectors and is expected to welcome more than 3,300 exhibiting companies and 100,000 attendees from 50+ countries, including 15 international pavilions.

Visitors are welcome to attend product launches and live demonstrations at the European Pavilion (Hall 105 B521), and to join discussions with the exhibiting companies.

Business meetings can also be scheduled by contacting the OTF team by email: .

Throughout the Overseas Trade Fair programme’s first cycle, an exclusive group of over 200 innovative European companies have participated and held more than 2,000 business meetings with selected counterparts at 15 major trade fairs around the world.