As Dr. Pichet Durongkaveroj, Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DE), has recently announced the appointment of Dr. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), effective from March 1, 2017, the newly appointed director has, on March 14, 2017, held a press conference for the first time to unveil his managerial visions towards the progress of innovation, reaffirming that it is extremely necessary for the organization to develop new strategies to cope efficiently with the government’s Digital Economy policy, particularly when innovation is considered a key mechanism to drive growth for the country. The establishment of DEPA will help accelerate the development of information technology systems expected to be applied into diversified management approaches, leading Thailand to sustainable development in the long run.
To successfully drive growth for Digital Society, it is vital to generate efficient development from a fundamental level to ensure unrestricted accessibility to community-based businesses and public health services, while encouraging the existence of digital people at all levels, as part of the ambitious goal to empower the “Digital Thailand” era. In the same way, driving Thailand to digital completion requires further promptness in various aspects, varying in the enforcement of laws, effectiveness of investment policies, and completion of diversified infrastructures, to push forward the development of Digital Park, Digital Smart City, and Digital Community.
“In the near future, Digital Economy will be driven hugely by the Digital Startup business as well as the new model of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In reality, around 500,000 of digital startup entrepreneurs have been anticipated to exist in the next two decades, backed by the digital evolution of the national economic model provided for 24,700 communities, 77 provinces, 3 million SME business providers, and 5 million families across the country,” said Mr. Nimmanphatcharin.
DEPA has determined to strictly pursue the Digital Development for Economy and Society Act, B.E. 2560 (2017) by supporting, promoting, and developing the digital industry, while ensuring that digital technology will be applied into various extents of national development such as economy, society, culture, tradition, and security. Also, the organization is set to develop the most efficient policies and procedures to conform to the national development plans involved in the advancement of investment, human resources, regulatory rules, intellectual property, and integrated collaboration with strategic partners.
