On 29 January 2026, Khon Kaen University (KKU) participated as a vital force in promoting regional commerce. The university attended a meeting dedicated to advancing trade and resolving trade barriers and joined the official opening ceremony of the Northeast Economic Corridor Trade Exhibition (NeEC Expo 2026 @Khon Kaen), held at the Khon Kaen International Convention and Exhibition Centre (KICE).
Leading KKU’s participation, as designated by the President, was Professor Thidarut Boonmars, Vice President for Enterprise and Societal Sustainability, along with her working group. Mr. Noppadol Khanthamas, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, presided over the opening ceremony for the event, which was organised to elevate the potential of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and concretely expand their opportunities into international trade markets.
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.
Another important highlight was the joint public-private sector meeting held to address trade issues and proposals. The Khon Kaen private sector specifically proposed an accelerated support for exporting high-potential agricultural and livestock products, such as rice, mangoes, and livestock derivatives, to boost the competitiveness of local entrepreneurs.
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 involvement 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.
