Brussels, Belgium – The European Union promoted 14 cutting-edge European machinery and metal working SMEs at Metalex 2018, held from 21 to 24 November in Bangkok, Thailand.

The 32nd edition of Metalex officially opened on the morning of November 21st in Bangkok, with the first ever European Pavilion at the fair hosting 14 innovative European companies, inaugurated by Isabelle De Stobbeleir, Trade Counsellor at the European Union Delegation to Thailand.

"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 time ever participation of the EU pavilion in 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 showcased examples of how small and medium-sized European companies are driving innovation in the machinery and metal working sectors, and aiming for a global impact under the EIC SME Instrument – Overseas Trade Fair (OTF) Programme, funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020.

Metalex is comprised of eight thematic shows in the machinery and metal working sectors and attracted more than 3,300 exhibiting companies and 100,000 attendees from 50+ countries, including 15 international pavilions.

Throughout the Overseas Trade Fairs programme’s first cycle, an exclusive group of over 200 innovative European companies participated and held more than 2000 business meetings with selected counterparts at 15 major trade fairs around the world.

More information about the programme and the 14 European machinery and metal working companies present at Metalex 2018 can be found on the OTF website.