BANGKOK – Tana Netting Company Limited recently hosted an Open House at its production facility in Amata Nakorn, Thailand, to introduce guests from the public and private sectors to the company’s business practices and to showcase its cooperation with public and private organizations around the world, with a focus on Africa. 

The session also featured a presentation by malaria expert, Dr. Pradya Somboon from the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiangmai University, who presented guests with an overview about malaria and highlighted Thailand’s leadership in combating the disease.

Malaria affects between 300-500 million people annually, with the locus of infections taking place in Africa.  As Ongon Tanthai, Head of Business Development and Sales, pointed out, “Long-lasting insecticide-treated nets are an effective tool for preventing malaria, which is why the African market is our biggest client.  We have worked with governments and NGOs throughout the continent to distribute nets and organize educational activities to help our end-users better protect themselves from malaria.”

As an active participant in the international development community, Tana Netting works in partnership to help lessen the impact of malaria.  For example, in September 2008, Tana Netting donated 1,650 nets to the Royal Thai Embassy in Dakar, Senegal, to support the embassy’s economic and social development. “Tana Netting’s mission is to improve the lives of others,” said Chris Messer, Head of Global Portfolio Management. “Working with organizations like the Royal Thai Embassy helps us make a difference by expanding access to vital public health commodities to vulnerable populations.  At the same time, our various partnerships with suppliers help support economic development and job creation in emerging economies like Thailand.”

Participants from the public sector included representatives from the African Division of Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health.  The NGO sector was presented by International Rescue Committee, Thai Chamber of Commerce, and the Thai-Nigerian Friendship Association.  Guests from the private sector included Kenya Airways, Chandler & Thong Ek, and Atlantic Laboratories Corporation Limited.  Guests toured the production facilities and were able to ask questions to get a better understanding of the complete production process for long-lasting insecticide-treated nets.