Songkhla: Minister Varawut Chan-o-cha visited southern Thailand to push forward efforts to upgrade SMEs and Micro SMEs, transforming local identities and community raw materials into high-value products. He also pledged to establish the Industrial Promotion Center Region 11 in Songkhla as a hub to drive economic growth and connect to global markets.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry, visited the Industrial Promotion Center Region 11 (DIPROM Center 11) in Songkhla Province to deliver policy guidelines and monitor the promotion of entrepreneurs in the lower southern region. The goal is to elevate this center into a "Southern Business Opportunity Hub," providing comprehensive support and guidance to SMEs and Micro-SMEs throughout the supply chain.

Connecting local potential with technology, innovation, and global markets to increase product value, create jobs and income, and elevate the southern economy for strong growth.

Simultaneously, efforts will be accelerated to empower entrepreneurs to cope with tariffs and trade barriers by enhancing their knowledge of global market regulations. This will enable them to adapt their products, production processes, and standards to meet the needs of target markets and expand export opportunities, leveraging the high economic resources of the lower southern region, including agricultural and fishery raw materials, food and processed industries, and traditional knowledge.

'In addition to our economic strengths, there are opportunities in tourism and border trade. Therefore, we must leverage local raw materials, regional identity, and technology and innovation to develop high-value and competitive products and businesses. In particular, we must use the 'spirit of the South' as a selling point, integrating technology to improve quality and production efficiency, creating differentiation, and reducing reliance on price competition,' said Mr. Varawut.