Bangkok: Minister Varawut Chan-o-cha is spearheading a transformative initiative for the Thai Ministry of Industry by establishing four key pillars aimed at addressing the global economy and improving the quality of life for Thai citizens. This initiative underscores the importance of public engagement, with a focus on consolidating complaint channels into a single platform for efficiency and transparency.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, the Minister of Industry, has officially announced a comprehensive policy to reform the ministry's administration. The strategy is grounded in four pillars, beginning with People Engagement, which prioritizes public feedback and grievance resolution through a unified system. This approach includes a monthly tracking system to monitor the resolution of industrial issues.
The second pillar, Policy Execution, seeks to establish new economic engines in alignment with government policies. The focus is on advancing future industries such as digital technology (AI), semiconductors, electric vehicles (EVs), and healthcare. The plan aims to integrate Thai industries into global supply chains, add value to agricultural products, and develop local agricultural processing industries. Efforts will create jobs and skill-building opportunities for various groups, including students, the elderly, people with disabilities, and SMEs.
Furthermore, there are plans to promote five smart industry groups, termed "New Engines," to elevate them into premium products and generate new revenue streams. These include transforming agriculture and food products into premium goods, positioning Thailand as a Medical Food Hub, and elevating herbal products to target the global health market. The initiative also focuses on promoting Thai crafts internationally, attracting investment in digital technology, and advancing the green industry through the creation of an EV ecosystem.
The third pillar, Legal Reform, known as "Prompt Government," involves reviewing and amending laws that impede investment, with a focus on OECD standards. Initial efforts will target the Industrial Waste Act and the new Factory Act, with a legal working group established to report progress monthly.
Key highlights of the strategy include the introduction of carbon ledgers for factories, support for community solar power, and initiatives to foster employment for vulnerable groups within SME supply chains. The Minister's Passion focuses on environmental issues, policies for the elderly and people with disabilities, and connecting with the global community.
A significant new mechanism involves establishing a committee to transform Thai industry in collaboration with the National Economic and Social Development Council and the Board of Investment. This will lead to the creation of an Industrial Transformation Fund to support innovation among SMEs and workforce reskilling to align with new technologies and the carbon credit market.
"My passion is to address the challenges of a changing world. We will transform environmental challenges and the challenges of an aging society into new business opportunities for all Thais," stated Mr. Varawut.