Thailand
Thailand: Depa targets 1% GDP rise
The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa) has vowed to increase the GDP of the country’s digital industry by 1% or 6 billion baht next year through various support programmes.
The commitment was spelled out by Depa president and chief executive Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin in a recent press briefing about the agency’s 2021 vision.
He said the 2021 working plan focuses on improving the capabilities of the workforce, supporting the network of digital startups, building a new digital network and helping business, industrial and agricultural sectors as well as communities adapt to the new environment.
The agency also aims to launch a new learning platform “digital tech hunt”, which would promote digital literacy among members of the public, including those with disabilities and the disadvantaged, who would be able to grow their digital literacy and skills.
The platform is being jointly developed with the private sector.
Depa will be facilitating students from 80 schools studying program coding, providing opportunities for vocational students to develop their digital skills and giving opportunities for college students and youth to gain knowledge about data-related technology.
Mr Nuttapon said Depa will also support 70 digital startups, which could help add value of more than 5 billion baht to the economy.
The agency will support digital transformation throughout all sectors, including rural communities, small farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Depa will also work to facilitate future industries, such as digital, medical hub, aviation, logistics, biofuel, robotics and biochemistry fields.
The agency will promote smart city concept in eight pilot areas, which is expected to draw 130 million baht in joint private and state investment. Some 100,000 people are expected to benefit from the project.
The smart city project will take into account smart economy, smart mobility and smart living.
The smart economy development will be carried out in at least 30 areas with the use of a city data platform for further development.
Smart mobility development will focus on enhancing logistics in the Eastern Economic Corridor and troubleshooting transport issues at Laem Chabang seaport in Chon Buri province.
The smart living development will be carried out initially in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen, where the emergency medical system will be upgraded.
According to Mr Nuttapon, Depa will work with the private sector to drive an artificial intelligence (AI) university project to support AI technology as well as the drone university project.
Depa aims to hold an exhibition to raise public awareness of the importance of new technology called “Digital Station: Siam Square”.
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2039275/depa-targets-1-gdp-rise