Thailand is applying German lessons to develop its “Industry 4.0”

BANGKOK, May 15 (TNA) - The Industry Ministry launched “German-Thai Partnership for the Industry of Tomorrow” in which leading German industrialists will help Thai industrial authorities and operators develop Thailand’s Industry 4.0. Regarding the project implementation, Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana said that a working group of Somchai Harnhirun, the permanent secretary of the Industry Ministry, would set a framework in two weeks and discuss it with representatives of the German embassy in Bangkok and large German companies with Industry 4.0 expertise such as Bosch, Siemens and SAP. The minister said that Thailand was developing its infrastructures and instruments to support Industry 4.0. They included nationwide community-based internet services, legal improvement and promotions for 10 particular industries and international partnerships. He hoped that in the partnership Thailand would learn Industry 4.0 development from Germany and Germany could use Thailand as its gateway to new opportunities in emerging markets in Southeast Asia. On the same occasion, Chen Namchaisiri, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said about 70% of Thai industries were at Industry 2.0-2.5 stages. Industry 4.0 meant that operators applied digital technology to develop innovative products and services, let their machines communicate with one another and manufacture products at high speed and with flexibility, he said. He believed that with Industry 4.0 Thailand could free itself from its middle income trap. (TNA)