Government

Agricultural and food industries are crucial to Thailand's aim to be the "kitchen of the world", a key government policy. Thailand was the world's 12th largest food exporter last year, with total shipments of 90bn baht (US$2.9bn) according to the National Food Institute. The Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) expects the value of food exports to exceed 1 trillion baht this year.

French colonists first introduced coffee to Vietnam in 1857. It has become embedded in the local culture ever since. The country is currently the world’s second largest producer and exporter of coffee, after Brazil.

“No commitment” could have been the title for 2013; advertisers (and not just telecom operators) certainly presented that option, as though in response to consumers’ mobile, versatile attitude, and their increasingly rapid decision-making. “France 2013, shocks & sanctuaries” expresses the new stakes better.