Industry Minister Akanat Promphan vows to improve the technological know-how of small and medium-sized enterprises through the establishment of the I-EA-T Incubation Centre for SMEs in Bangkok.
The new centre is operated by officials of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), who met with Mr Akanat yesterday to discuss plans to "reform" the country's manufacturing sector, he said.
"We aim to help SMEs, which will in turn help develop Thai industries," Mr Akanat said following the meeting.
IEAT officials plan to build the centre in the compound of the Lat Krabang industrial estate.
"We want to open the centre within three months," said acting IEAT governor Sumet Tangprasert, who is also a director on the IEAT board.
The centre aims to boost the competitiveness of SMEs, he said.
In an announcement last week of his policies upon assuming office, Mr Akanat listed SME development as a priority.
The minister shares the same goal as the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), which also wants to provide technological and financial support for SMEs. The majority of FTI members are SMEs.
FTI chairman Kriengkrai Thiennukul said earlier he wants SMEs to understand digital technology, with the federation encouraging them to use more computer programs to improve their operations and reduce operating expenses.
The most essential forms of software are related to accounting and production control, he said.
The government has been promoting robotics and automation systems under its Industry 4.0 (fourth Industrial Revolution) initiative, which encourages factory operators to blend digital technology with data analysis.
However, an Industry Ministry survey in 2020 found only 2% of Thai industries were at the level of Industry 4.0, using advanced technology in their operations.
"I want the IEAT to help attract foreign investment in industries with high-growth potential, especially semiconductors," said Mr Akanat.
The minister also wants to support the national defence industry.
"Many local entrepreneurs have great potential in the national defence industry," said Mr Akanat, a member of the United Thai Nation Party, which ran a campaign for Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha as a prime ministerial candidate last year.
