BANGKOK, Thailand, June 23 /PRNewswire/ --

Only a few years ago not many people paid much attention to an exhibition devoted exclusively to the environment. But how quickly things change. Now with oil at over US$130 a barrel, food and transportation costs soaring and climate change ushering in floods, droughts and devastating cyclones, the environment is suddenly "Issue No. 1". And it's world-wide.

2008 marked Entech's eighteenth year and it was by far the best ever. The event was intelligently planned around three important areas: Environmental Technology (Entech Pollutec), Renewable Energy and the very important Pumps & Valves sector.

Over 150 environmental, renewable energy and control device (Pumps & Valve) companies from around the world were in attendance. Top German renewable energy concerns were featured at their bustling National Pavilion which earmarked special dates as "Renewable Energy Day" and "Energy Efficiency Day". The Austrian Pavilion used the event to highlight its growing ventures in Thailand and Ambassadors from both countries were in attendance. Just as impressive were technologies and products from individual companies from 15 countries such as Austria, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA), China, Singapore, Israel, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Spain, Japan, France and India. Visitor participation at the show also set a record.

The impressive 2008 Opening Ceremony on the morning of 4th June at the BITEC, Bangkok, was chaired by the Thai Minister of Energy, Lieutenant General Poonpirom Lippatapunlop. Her Excellency's address focused on the government's ambitious plans for renewable energy to replace fossil fuel sources in Thailand as soon as possible.

"We have established a concrete policy to generate renewable energy from available sources by 2011," the Minister said. "And we also have a 15-year plan to develop more sources to satisfy the overall energy demands of our country. Additionally we have a goal to establish Thailand as "The Green Energy Hub of South East Asia" and we want to be an exporter of green energy within that time," she added.

A series of marketing and technical seminars on the environment and renewable energy ran in conjunction with the show. Delivered by local and international experts, the seminars covered everything from solar and wind energy to biomass, biogas, hydropower and more. Entrepreneurs were informed about many good business opportunities and everyone in attendance was updated on new developments in these areas.

Since its beginning back in 1990 Entech has been organised under the expertise of CMP Media (Thailand) -- the country's fastest-growing event organizer. Now with another feather in their cap thanks to Entech, they are building further on success by scheduling the 2009 show for 20th-23rd May coinciding with the World Renewable Energy Congress 2009-Asia for which Bangkok was selected by an international panel. WREC2009-Asia will take place from the 19th-22nd of May. It will certainly be one of the major environmental events of the year and all who have an interest in a cleaner greener world will want to be there.

Patcharawadee Sutthipool, +66-02-642-6911 ext 413, or +66-081-817-7094, Patcharawadee@cmpthailand.com, or Pakaphan Kongtanajittakul , +66-02-642-6911 ext 412, or +66-086-604-9594, pakapha@cmpthailand.com