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The Asean-Korea Centre will hold a trade-facilitation workshop for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Bangkok next week.
The event, under the theme “Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Thai IoT Industry”, has the backing and input of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and the Korea IoT Association.
The organisers of the workshop, to be held from June 20-23, say it will boost the competitiveness of Thai MSMEs through the use of Internet of Things platforms and devices while fostering business partnerships between Thailand and South Korea.
Kim Young-sun, secretary-general of the Asean-Korea Centre, said that to propel Thailand towards a value-based economy, the government had adopted the “Thailand 4.0” initiative as a new economic model. Thailand also developed the National Digital Economy Master Plan (2016-20) that highlights focus areas to drive the digitalisation of its economy. 

ROADSHOWS SPARKLE

The Department of International Trade Promotion is staging roadshows around the world to attract importers and buyers to the 60th Bangkok Gems & Jewellery Fair. The event is expected to welcome more than 25,000 visitors in September.
The most recent roadshow was held at JCK Las Vegas, one of the largest gems and jewellery trade fairs in the United States. On its 93,000 square metres of exhibition space, entrepreneurs, designers and traders, along with buyers and importers, gathered for the event. Held from June 5-8, the fair had 2,491 exhibition booths and drew more than 23,000 visitors.

INVESTMENT RULES EASED 
Foreign investors wanting to hold more than 50-per-cent ownership in enterprises operating in 19 service businesses in banking and related fields no longer need to get clearance from the government.
Previously, such investors needed to seek approval from a committee overseeing matters relating to the Foreign Business Act. The government on June 9 unlocked the ownership limit from its protection list. The liberalisation also applies to foreign investors engaged in infrastructure development.
The move is aimed at encouraging more foreign investment into Thailand as part of the government’s efforts to promote the country as a hub for Asean investment, Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said.