SME operators asked to apply Thai culture with their businesses

BANGKOK, Feb 18 (TNA) -- Small and medium-sized business (SME) operators are asked to use service and apply thai culture with their ventures to boost businesses, according to Deputy Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong. Expressing his concerns that Thailand’s traditional culture and service businesses have not been registered as intellectual property and could be violated by foreigners in future, Mr Sontirat said Friday that he had discussed with Commerce Ministry’s Intellectual Property Department and the World Intellectual Property Organisation on ways to protect Thai arts, culture and service. Thai arts and culture such as boxing and classical dance as well as Tuk Tuk service are recognised worldwide and they should be properly registered, otherwise they could be violated by foreigners, he said. Mr Sontirat’s remarks were made during a seminar sponsored by Kasikornbank Public Co, Ltd. The seminar was organised to encourage SME operators developing their products and services in line with the government’s Thailand 4.0 policy. The government under Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha wants to bolster gross domestic product (GDP) of SME businesses to reach 50 per cent of the country’s GDP within 2021 from 42 per cent currently. (END)