Suphajee orders 3 ministries to build on 2026 IMF–World Bank meetings
Suphajee directs three Thai ministries to build on the 2026 IMF–World Bank meetings through trade, culture and tourism, aiming to raise local incomes.
- Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has directed the ministries of Commerce, Culture, and Tourism and Sports to create lasting economic benefits from the 2026 IMF-World Bank meetings.
- The Commerce Ministry will focus on developing products like textiles and food, strengthening brands, and commercializing intellectual property.
- The Culture Ministry is tasked with promoting cultural assets like Muay Thai, while the Tourism Ministry will boost tourism, particularly in the meetings and conventions (MICE) sector.
- The initiative aims to generate long-term income for local businesses and communities by adding value to Thai goods and services and expanding their market access.
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has directed three ministries to turn opportunities from the 2026 International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok into lasting income for Thai businesses and communities. The deputy prime minister announced the directive on Tuesday (October 20).
Suphajee’s instruction brings together the Commerce Ministry, Culture Ministry and the tourism responsibilities of the Tourism and Sports Ministry, with the aim of adding value to Thai goods and services, expanding overseas markets and improving competitiveness.
The IMF–World Bank meetings took place in Bangkok from October 12–18, 2026.
Commerce Ministry to develop products and IP Finance
The Commerce Ministry has been tasked with building on product development, strengthening brands and connecting producers with markets as part of Suphajee’s coordinated approach.
The Commerce Ministry’s brief also covers making commercial use of intellectual property and further developing the concept of intellectual property financing, or IP Finance.
Community products identified for development include Thai textiles for home decoration, bags made from traditional pha khao ma cloth and Thai food. The Commerce Ministry is to help increase their value and improve market access.
Culture and tourism ministries to expand business opportunities
The Culture Ministry has been asked to develop business opportunities from Thailand’s cultural assets and creative industries, including performances, Muay Thai and the talents of Thai artists, while raising their international profile.
The Tourism and Sports Ministry’s contribution centres on tourism, linking Thai identity and activities with tourism promotion. Its remit includes opportunities in meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions, collectively known as MICE, to encourage spending and increase revenue for related businesses in Thailand.
Suphajee calls for continued cooperation and results monitoring
Suphajee wants cooperation among the three ministries to continue beyond the IMF–World Bank meetings, linking product and service development with the commercial value of cultural assets and wider trade and tourism channels.
Suphajee has also called for tangible results to be monitored, with the aim of ensuring that opportunities from the international gathering generate income for businesses and communities and strengthen Thailand’s competitiveness over the longer term.
The Commerce Ministry’s announcement did not specify a budget, implementation deadlines or numerical revenue targets.
