Thailand to develop creative, sustainable industries

BANGKOK, October 4 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Industry plans to develop creative and sustainable industries. Industry Minister Prasert Boonchaisuk announced the policy at the “OIE Forum 2556 Next Generation of Thai Industry”, held in Bangkok on Thursday. Prasert acknowledged that industries accounted for 40 per cent of Thailand's gross domestic product (GDP) or about 3.86 trillion baht. Prasert noted that his ministry has a 20-year plan for its implementation from 2012 to 2031 to develop creative and sustainable industries in the country, ranging from upstream to downstream industries. According to the industry minister, in the first stage of the plan implementation, Thailand targets to be a leading production base in the region in the lead-up to the formation of the ASEAN Community (AC), with regulations to be revised to facilitate the development. In the second stage, Thailand will apply technologies and innovations to improve its production, become a regional trade center, offer services concerning the management of production and networks in the region, improve the production of raw materials, develop intellectual property and promote Thai brands in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In the third stage, Thailand will promote its brands globally, develop the internationally recognized brands which are supported by regional production networks and successfully introduce Thai products to overseas markets worldwide. (TNA)