International Silk Festival and Mekong Cultural Exchange in Khon Kaen, Thailand

		Khon Kaen, 6 November, 2013 - The International Silk Festival, "Pook Xiao" Tradition and Red Cross Fair 2013 is set to become the hub of silk cultural exchange and trading in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). Highlights of the show will include the double-bill international seminar and business matching event entitled "Mekong Silk Road in the GMS", sericulture and silk weaving exhibitions, silk fashion show and cultural performances from six GMS countries - Vietnam, Lao PDR., Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand and China's Guangxi and Yunnan provinces. Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Mekong Institute, will address the opening of the "Mekong Silk Road in the GMS", which will be held from 27 to 28 November, 2013, while His Excellency Shigekazu Sato, Japan's Ambassador to Thailand, will deliver a keynote speech. Sericulture and silk experts from the GMS countries will discuss on various topics including the Importance and Productivity of Silk to the Global Market, Silk Trends and Prospects in the ASEAN Market and Silk Trading in the GMS during the international seminar day to be held at Rachawadee Resort and Hotel in Khon Kaen City on 27 November. Delegates will inspect three sericulture and silk production centres, discuss business, and convene on the establishment of a Mekong Silk Road in the GMS network during the business matching day, which follows on 28 November. The International Silk Festival, "Pook Xiao" Tradition and Red Cross Fair 2013 will take place in front of Khon Kaen City Hall from 29 November to 10 December, 2013. The 12-day show has been scheduled to be filled with educational and recreational activities as well as shopping opportunities. The event will showcase silk and handicraft products from GMS countries. Lao PDR, Cambodia, China and Vietnam have confirmed their participation to exhibit and trade their silk and handicraft products in the international zone. The local zone will showcase silk and handicraft products from several Thai provinces including Roi Et, Kalasin, Maha Sarakham and Khon Kaen. On the exhibition grounds, the show will highlight the history of sericulture, silk weaving and handicraft, and the unique silk culture indigenous to each GMS country. In addition, there will be exhibitions on religious practices and beliefs as well as national historic sites in the GMS. Cultural performances and food festivals from China's Guangxi and Yunnan provinces, Vietnam, Thailand and Lao PDR. have been scheduled between 29 November and 10 December while the silk fashion show has been scheduled on 2 December and Miss Khon Kaen Beauty Pageant on 7 December.