Thailand eyes to become regional digital hub

BANGKOK, May 12 (TNA) - The Thai economy has been steadily improving and the Kingdom has eyed to become a digital hub in the region in the future. Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, who oversees economic affairs, made the remarks while delivering his speech at Thursday's opening ceremony of the 16th Money Expo, set to be held at the IMPACT Trade and Exhibition Centre in Muang Thong Thani on the outskirts of Bangkok during May 12-15. Somkid said he believes the Thai economy is improving further, urging Thai citizens to be strong and optimistic and to always look forward. Somkid acknowledged that A.T. Kearney, a Chicago-based globally-renowned management consulting firm, has disclosed the confidence index on international investment for 2016, in which Thailand is now ranked the 21st, after not being among the first 25 top attractive countries for foreign investment two years ago. Besides, Huawei, China-based telecommunication business giant, plans to open its regional headquarters in Thailand, as the firm envisages the Kingdom's sound economic and political prospect and potential to become a telecommunication gateway to the ASEAN Community (AC), thanks to the Thai government's clear economic policy. According to the deputy premier, Huawei also notices the Thai government's plan to invest some 15 billion baht this year on its digital economy and another 5 billion baht in 2017 to connect national gateway in the country. The deputy prime minister noted that the Chinese firm will cooperate with the Thai Ministry of Information and Communication Technology(ICT) in developing digital system in the country. The deputy premier revealed that he has ordered the ICT Ministry to develop a nationwide Internet system, as well as other innovative communication systems and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) start-up technologies to pave the way for Thailand to become an advance "4.0 digital economy" in the future. (TNA)