Industry Ministry hopes Alibaba to help boost economy

BANGKOK, April 18 (TNA) – The Industry Ministry hopes that its cooperation with Alibaba Group will help boost the Thai economy and generate national income worth about 180 billion baht. Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana said Jack Ma, executive chairman of Alibaba Group, would visit Thailand on April 19. Ma and his Alibaba executives will meet Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak to discuss cooperation. Besides, the group will announce its plan to invest in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and projects to develop the digital industry and the e-commerce and digital capabilities of Thai operators. On the occasion the Industry Ministry will sign four memorandums of understanding. They will cover the establishment of the Smart Digital Hub in the EEC, the digital and e-commerce training for workers and operators including startups and small and medium-sized enterprises, and Alibaba’s joint project with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to develop the Thailand Tourism Platform. Authorities expect Thailand’s revenues from e-commerce to soar from 113.4 billion baht this year to 186.5 billion baht in 2022. (TNA)