Dozen SME–ITCs to be set up in Thailand

BANGKOK, February 27 (TNA) - The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) plans to set up 12 SME Industrial Transformation Centers (SME–ITCs) across the country to support not only small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), but also startup businesses, and to become a new key mechanism to produce more value-added innovative products to further drive forward national economic growth. While telling journalists of the plan, IEAT Governor Verapong Chaiperm said that the first SME–ITC has already been set up with its full operational services at the Laem Chabang Industrial Estate in eastern seaside Chon Buri Province. Verapong revealed that IEAT will open more SME–ITCs in other nine areas within mid-2018, including those in the Lat Krabang Industrial Estate in Bangkok, the northern industrial estate, the southern industrial estate, the Bang Pa-In Industrial Estate, the Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate, the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, the Bang Poo Industrial Estate, the Samut Sakhon Industrial Estate and the Bang Chan Industrial Estate with an initial budget of about 20 million baht. According to the IEAT governor, additional three SME–ITCs will be opened at three other areas by the end of this year, including those in the Ratchaburi Industrial Estate, the Gateway Industrial Estate and the Gemopolis Industrial Estate. The IEAT governor noted that IEAT has a policy to support and develop startup businesses in five groups, including those in the e-commerce, healthcare and medical equipment, farm and food, new industrial technological and logistics sectors. (TNA)