Thailand: Minister vows to support SMEs’ online sales push

• Oct 30, 2020

Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit vows to continue supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to sell their products online, allowing them to participate in international exhibitions and trade shows to boost their export capabilities.

Speaking after presiding over the Smart SME Expo 2020, Mr Jurin said the Commerce Ministry has plans to promote and empower the nearly 3 million SMEs, which make up 95% of business operators.

He wants them to possess more marketing opportunities under new production strategies, particularly through online platforms.

“It is our mission to help equip those SMEs with necessary digital skills so they can succeed in the long run. To pave the way for future business models, we also place great importance on the younger generation, especially college students and new graduates, as they are our future entrepreneurs and CEOs,” said Mr Jurin.

“This is why the New Economy Academy [NEA], under the International Trade Promotion Department, developed the ‘CEO Gen Z’ course for up-and-coming entrepreneurs nationwide.”

The recent e-commerce programme aims to welcome 12,000 students. The first course was held in northern Thailand with the participation of students from seven universities.

More CEO Gen Z courses will be held in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand soon. Graduates will become the driving force of Thailand’s e-commerce future, he said.

Mr Jurin said the ministry also pledges to continue seeking partnerships with various state and private agencies to help SMEs hit hard by the Covid-19 crisis and poor domestic economy.

He cited the recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) on partnership between the NEA, Commerce Ministry and Huawei Technologies Thailand to co-develop digital courses to boost the business sector.

Under this MoU, the first digital technology course for SMEs held on Oct 26-28 was attended by 250 SMEs.

The programme aims to involve 1,000 SMEs in the future, to boost the digital skills of entrepreneurs in the new normal and to turn crisis into opportunities.