Page 17 - PM#102_all

Ministry of Industry, as a key component to push this government
policy, is striving to support and develop target industries through
standards, productivity and innovation. The ministry has offered a
development framework of Industry 4.0 which is driven by
intelligence, innovation and connectivity to the global economy.
Many strategies have been raised including the connection of
production and marketing through digital technology, building of
networks among industrial clusters, response to global demands
and the encouragement of entrepreneurs to realize innovations.
SMEs are also playing important roles to move the country
forward as such the Ministry of Industry is attempting to turn them
into SME 4.0.

At the opening of workshop ‘Road to Industry 4.0 and SME 4.0’,
Minister of Industry Atchaka Sibunruang said that, “Thailand has
successfully become an industrial country and have increased their
disposal income. It also a regional hub of investment. Nonetheless,
it is still crowded only in big cities, not quite spread nationwide. One
reason behind this is a lack of support for SMEs which are also a
significant factor to make a dispersion in business. Therefore, new
direction to develop this industrial sector must be applied to balance In the age of 4.0, SMEs should make an effort to implement
economic systems by increasing efficiency and effectiveness. With applications for cost reduction such as accounting management and
this, SMEs will be able to compete in the current climate where inventory management systems. These can help entrepreneurs
things are constantly changing”. enhance work performance in management, reduce costs, increase
sales volume and even expand to overseas markets. SMEs need
The fourth SME Promotional Master Plan (2017-2021) focuses on to have the adaptability to change to stay competitive. OSMEP sets
strengthening SMEs for growth to compete on the global stage. a goal for SMEs to reach 50% of GDP (currently 42.9%) which is a
Thailand 4.0 has been applied as a master plan to enhance both big challenge for SMEs but is an achievable goal.
production efficiency and effectiveness for the industry. This has
formed the base of the SME 4.0 strategy to determine development The eastern region of Thailand alone has around 226,000 SMEs.
direction of SMEs. Office of SMEs Promotion’s (OSMEP) plan aims This area is considered as a significant industrial base of the
to support four main groups including high-value startups, smart country driven by many factors including the Eastern Economic
SME, smart farmer and global SME. Corridor (EEC) which is a project which the government is now
proceeding with. Furthermore, there are potential transportations
by both land and water connected together systematically as well
as geographically supporting tourism and agriculture especially in
fruit and rubber.

Major industries in the east include raw and processed rubber, fruit,
food and processed agricultural products, automotive parts, herbs
and cosmetic products. SMEs currently face problems in lack of
skilled labor, low price of fruit, environmental degradation, pollution
and a lack of innovative development. It is necessary to create
innovation and applications of technology in the appropriate manner.
Output products must keep pace with consumption trends with
safety and high standards. It is believed that regional SMEs will grow
with unique economic strengths in the near future through a variety
of government projects.

Got a question ? Please scan QR code on page 61

October - November 2016 15