On 29 January 2026, Khon Kaen University (KKU) played a key role in advancing regional commerce by participating in a strategic meeting on trade promotion and the resolution of trade barriers, as well as attending the official opening ceremony of the Northeast Economic Corridor Trade Exhibition (NeEC Expo 2026 @Khon Kaen). The event was held at the Khon Kaen International Convention and Exhibition Centre (KICE).
Representing the University on behalf of the President was Professor Thidarut Boonmars, D.V.M., Ph.D., Vice President for Enterprise and Societal Sustainability, accompanied by her working team. The opening ceremony was presided over by Mr. Noppadol Khanthamas, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, and was organised with the objective of enhancing the competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and expanding their access to international trade markets in a tangible manner.
The NeEC Expo 2026 @Khon Kaen was held from 29 January to 1 February 2026. The event featured over 120 booths from exhibitors originating from Thailand and Laos PDR, showcasing the product potential of the Mekong sub-region. It also included Business Matching activities designed to forge regional and international trade cooperation.
Furthermore, the event provided international marketing and trade knowledge platforms, such as the seminar, “Techniques for Building Local Product Brands for the Global Market,” and the discussion, “China Market Trends 2026 and Key Insights,” held on 31 January 2026. These sessions were intended to help entrepreneurs adjust their business strategies to keep pace with global economic changes.
In addition, the event offered knowledge-sharing platforms to support SME development in global markets. These included the seminar “Techniques for Building Local Product Brands for the Global Market” and the discussion “China Market Trends 2026 and Key Insights,” held on 31 January 2026. These sessions were designed to help entrepreneurs adapt their business strategies in response to evolving global economic conditions.
The successful organisation of the NeEC Expo 2026 @Khon Kaen resulted from the integrated collaboration of multiple sectors, including the Department of International Trade Promotion, the Department of Business Development, Khon Kaen Province, the Khon Kaen Provincial Commercial Office, and leading financial institutions, which provided consultation on credit and financial services to support the continuous and sustainable growth of SMEs.
KKU’s active participation reflects its role as a higher education institution that systematically leverages its knowledge and collaborative networks to support grassroots and regional economic development. These efforts align fundamentally with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 8 (Promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all) through empowering SMEs. They also align with Goal 9 (Industry, innovation, and infrastructure) by enhancing competitiveness and accessing international markets, and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), demonstrated by the integrated efforts of government, private sector, financial institutions, and academia, all working to drive stable and sustainable long-term economic growth in the Northeast region.
