Bangkok: The Prime Minister has called on Shopee to enhance the promotion of Thai OTOP products in international and online markets, aiming to further develop the digital economy and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Chris Feng, Chairman of Sea Limited and CEO of Shopee, along with his team, visited Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul. During their meeting, they discussed strategies to advance Thailand's digital economy, improve the skills of Thai entrepreneurs, and explore investment cooperation opportunities within the country. The delegation expressed appreciation for Sea Limited and Shopee's contributions to developing Thailand's digital economy, particularly in areas such as promoting trade via digital platforms and enhancing e-commerce skills. This initiative aligns with government policies aimed at increasing trade channels, both online and offline, to boost income and competitiveness for Thai entrepreneurs, especially SMEs.
Mr. Feng also conveyed his condolences on the passing of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavadi and expressed his commitment to continuing collaborations with the Thai government. This includes enhancing digital and e-commerce skills for Thai entrepreneurs and promoting Thai products globally through the Shopee International Platform and Shopee Global Sales projects. In addition, Mr. Feng expressed interest in expanding investments and business collaborations in other sectors in Thailand to help drive the digital economy and generate long-term employment.
The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of SMEs and young entrepreneurs to the Thai economy, reiterating the government's dedication to supporting their access to funding, reducing business barriers, upgrading digital skills, and ensuring a fair trading environment. This involves enforcing laws to protect Thai entrepreneurs from unfair competition on digital platforms.
Discussions also covered the development of a Virtual Banking system as a crucial component for upgrading the nation's digital financial system. The Prime Minister advocated for attracting financial experts and experienced professionals to invest in and develop digital banking businesses in Thailand to enhance competitiveness and foster financial innovation. He noted that Virtual Banking would help citizens, particularly small business owners and those lacking access to traditional financial services, to secure loans and access financial services via digital channels. This would increase employment opportunities and business expansion, serving as a key driver for the digital economy and inclusive growth in Thailand.
Additionally, the Prime Minister invited Mr. Feng to participate in the OTOP Midyear 2026 event and requested Shopee's assistance in promoting Thai OTOP products. He emphasized the high quality of these products and expressed confidence in their potential popularity in international markets. Mr. Feng pledged full support, recognizing the market opportunities for Thai products globally.