Arthit Wuthikaro, Director-General of the Department of Industrial Promotion (DIP), stated that merely 10 percent of the small and medium enterprises from Thailand are willing to branch out into ASEAN regions.
He opined that, by and large, Thai SMEs are required to acclimatize to become Asean SMEs and thereby look out for a mutually benefiting collaboration. Also that, the country is required to demonstrate enhanced interest in neighbourhood countries.
Mr Arthit said that with a view to promote its expansion in ASEAN, DIP programme will mainly be focusing on top 10 percent or say around 90,000 SMEs. He added that, the leading small enterprises who are interested in reaping potential benefits under the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) have requested the department to provide more information about the same.
Countries like Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia with low labour cost extend an opportunity to Thai SMEs to invest in foreign countries and alongside also build up their supply chain, he said.
DIP has been concentrating on creating business operators worldwide for the ASEAN region by managing business synchronizing opportunities for SMEs.
Mr Arthit anticipated that the development process is going on in 30 percent of the SMEs in Thailand whereas, other one third are satisfied with current state of affairs and the rest are willing to adapt but they either lack information or are nervous to adjustments.
Next to textiles and apparel, processed agricultural food and beverages are the two groups which are very much keen on development.
Manop Chivatanasoontorn, director of the Bureau of Industrial Management Development, informed that Cambodia, Burma, Laos and Vietnam would be the initial focal points as, the labour-intensive industries like steel, machinery and textiles and also the industries capable of using raw materials like rice and para rubber has high potential in these countries.
He opined that, by and large, Thai SMEs are required to acclimatize to become Asean SMEs and thereby look out for a mutually benefiting collaboration. Also that, the country is required to demonstrate enhanced interest in neighbourhood countries.
Mr Arthit said that with a view to promote its expansion in ASEAN, DIP programme will mainly be focusing on top 10 percent or say around 90,000 SMEs. He added that, the leading small enterprises who are interested in reaping potential benefits under the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) have requested the department to provide more information about the same.
Countries like Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia with low labour cost extend an opportunity to Thai SMEs to invest in foreign countries and alongside also build up their supply chain, he said.
DIP has been concentrating on creating business operators worldwide for the ASEAN region by managing business synchronizing opportunities for SMEs.
Mr Arthit anticipated that the development process is going on in 30 percent of the SMEs in Thailand whereas, other one third are satisfied with current state of affairs and the rest are willing to adapt but they either lack information or are nervous to adjustments.
Next to textiles and apparel, processed agricultural food and beverages are the two groups which are very much keen on development.
Manop Chivatanasoontorn, director of the Bureau of Industrial Management Development, informed that Cambodia, Burma, Laos and Vietnam would be the initial focal points as, the labour-intensive industries like steel, machinery and textiles and also the industries capable of using raw materials like rice and para rubber has high potential in these countries.
