GML Exhibition (Thailand) has launched DronTech Asia 2024, the continent’s first international drone exhibition and conference. The event is scheduled for Nov 25-27 at Impact Exhibition and Convention Center in Bangkok.
The global market for commercial drones or unmanned aerial vehicles was valued at US$20.8 billion in 2021. It is expected to reach $1.2 trillion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) at 14% for several years, according to a Straits Research market forecast for 2022-2030.
Manu Leopairote, chairman of GML Exhibition (Thailand), the region’s leading exhibition and conference trade organiser, said drone usage is growing in various industries because it reduces human labour and increases trade advantages. Some examples include checking inventory in warehouses, watering plants and adding fertiliser, and taking bird’s-eye-view photos and videos, said Mr Manu.
Given this growth, the company sees many opportunities to support such expansion, he said.
Mr Manu said the exponential growth of commercial drones is attributed to their superior flight speed, durability, strength and precision, resulting in growing applications in many sectors, such as agriculture, energy, construction and logistics.
According to the forecast, the Asia-Pacific drone market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19.8% from 2020 to 2025, driven by increasing usage in agriculture, mining, security and construction.
The DronTech Asia 2024 event is expected to attract 5,000 participants and buyers from more than 100 industries, as well as investors and venture capitalists, researchers, academics, drone advocates and enthusiasts, according to GML.
The event will showcase the capability, benefits, and Southeast Asia’s rapidly growing leadership in this industry, he said, adding it is expected to create new opportunities for local and international drone-related companies to meet more end users, system integrators, customers and business influencers.
The expo is supported by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa), the Defence Technology Institute, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, the Drone Association of Thailand, and many other government organisations.
Preesan Rakwatin, executive vice-president of Depa, said the agency recently launched the One Tambon, One Digital (Drone Jai) project as part of drone use promotion that focuses on promoting farmers’ knowledge, understanding and skills required to operate and maintain drones in the agricultural sector.
Depa supports the industry using advanced drones to provide maintenance services, spraying and distribution, he said.
After one year of the project, the agency expects 50 drone maintenance service centres nationwide.
The project will encourage villagers in roughly 500 different communities to adopt more drone technologies in the agricultural sector, which is expected generate at least 350 million baht in economic value, said Mr Preesan.
The project supports the government’s plan to upgrade national digital capabilities to enhance competitiveness.
Chatchai Puntragul, manager of the Unmanned Aircraft Standards Department at CAAT, said regulatory matters need to be addressed to support future drone use.
He said these issues include certifying different uses of drones, such as medium-sized drones, registration, certification of different types of drone pilot training centres, and drone pilot licensing (basic and advanced levels).
Photo: Manu Leopairote, Chairman of GML Exhibition (Thailand), the organizer of DronTech Asia- © Bangkok Post PCL. All rights reserved.
Source: Bangkok Post