London-based Logistics Plus International Group is seeking a business partner in Thailand to expand its operations in the fast-growing Asian region.

Logistics Plus currently offers air, road and sea transport services to clients in several countries in the region including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Japan, India, Korea and Taiwan.

But the company has yet to establish a presence in Thailand due to a lack of a qualified business partner, said global sales director Aziz Oztoprak.

"We are definitely looking for a good partner to represent our group in Thailand," he said. "The partner should be a medium-sized company that is flexible, proactive, and keen to develop business together with us. But many times I e- mailed some companies in Thailand and there was no reply," he said.

Logistics Plus now has offices in 18 countries including China, Russia, Belgium, the UK, Mexico and the Czech Republic. About 35% its total revenue is generated from the Asian region.

The company provides transport and distribution for some major international clients by moving several types of products, mainly machinery, textiles, food and general merchandise.

According to Mr Oztoprak, Logistics Plus has a strong business operation in the Middle East, especially Turkey. It is also developing its bases further in some European and South American countries.

"We are young, fast-growing and considered as one of companies that is well positioned in the current climate of globalisation and the credit crunch," he noted.Logistics Plus was among nearly 150 companies at the Conference on Foreign Trade Logistics in Mersin, a port town of Turkey, on Oct 14 and 15. The event included a buying programme with bilateral meetings involving 51 representatives of foreign logistics companies and prospective Turkish partners.

The event, however, lacked any business representatives from Thailand.

According to information complied by the Turkish commercial counsellor's office in Bangkok, bilateral trade between Thailand and Turkey was worth $993 million in the first eight months of this year, up from $684 million year-on-year.

Thailand's exports to Turkey rose from $608 million to $831 million over the period with major items such as automobiles, parts and accessories, petrochemical, rubber, yarn, jewellery and air conditioners.

Turkey's exports to Thailand rose from $71 million to $163 million, with shipments including crude oil, chemicals machinery and parts, vegetables, fabrics, iron and steel, and garments.