Calls for coordinated support for ICT industry
Integrated support from all government agencies and the strengthening of local brands and marketing skills are needed in order to help the information and communications technology (ICT) industry tap business opportunities and cope with competition in the
They voiced their ideas in the seminar "AEC 2015 and its impact on the ICT industry", held by Krungthep Turakij newspaper.
AEC 2015 will create a huge market of 583 million people in the 10 Asean members and encourage the free flow of capital, goods, services, investment and skilled labour.
Vatee Phiravaranuphong, director of the Industry Ministry's Industrial Promotion Department, said the AEC was an opportunity for ICT industry players and also Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to tap the huge market. But the main problem is a lack of integration among state agencies to prepare in concert with the new landscape.
The government should also urgently conduct a comprehensive study of local and Asean ICT industries in terms of demand and supply, and further promote the use of local ICT and software products. "This will enable us to know ourselves better and gain the insights of others," he added.
The Thai Software Export Promotion Association's president, Pirasan Punyagupta, said that the software industry had already competed in the cross-border landscape. Thai software makers have a chance to compete in the mobile-applications and embedded-technology segments.
However, Thai software makers need to boost their brand awareness and sharpen their marketing acumen. They also need support from involved parties to encourage local people and local business to utilise more locally made software.
Vichai Bencharongkul, the Telecommunications Association of Thailand's president, said relevant local laws must be made clear to enable local telecom operators to deal with competition from upcoming Asean rivals. He added that the government should set a clear direction outlining how the operators will compete in the AEC landscape.
Last week the Thai Federation of ICT Technology Associations proposed to ICT Minister Group Captain Anudith Nakornthap that the ministry join with the private sector in positioning businesses in each segment to deal with the AEC.
Vichai also wants to see the government's continued support of the ICT industry's growth, saying the policy and direction are changed every time there is a change of government.
