Thailand to apply science & technology for maximum benefit

BANGKOK, September 25 (TNA) - The Thai government, through the Ministry of Science and Technology, is determined to apply science, technology and innovations for the maximum benefit to stimulate national economy efficiently. Thai Science and Technology Minister Pichet Durongkaveroj told journalists of the stance on Friday, saying that to achieve the goal, his ministry and other relevant government agencies are encouraging the private sector to render more support for research projects, as private businesses have more potential to develop innovations that should best meet market demands. Pichet promised that the Thai government will facilitate the development, offer privileges and recommend academics to the private sector for the purpose. The Science and Technology Ministry, meanwhile, plans to develop a Food Innopolis, a special district of food innovations, which would produce value-added food products, attract local and foreign investment in food innovations and, thus, promote Thailand as a global center of innovative food products. Besides, the ministry will enable local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop their products with technologies and researches to boost their exports. According to the minister, the projects should increase the value of Thai products by 130 billion baht, or equivalent to 1 per cent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). With scientific development and innovations, the minister suggested, Thailand could become a developed country and Thai citizens could double their income in the future. (TNA)