Agency told to unveil online business opportunities for entrepreneurs in service sector
Deputy Commerce Minister Weerasak Wangsuphakijkosol has told the Department of Business Development to urgently hold a seminar for entrepreneurs on the subject of “increasing customers through online channels” in the provinces of Chumphon, Uttaradit, Nong Khai, Chaiyaphum and Nonthaburi between November 21 and December 23.
The seminar, held in cooperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and e-commerce platform Lazada Thailand, aims to help more than 300 businesses in the service industry by linking them to tourism. The seminar will also include workshops on content marketing techniques and will prepare businesses for online platform operation.
“The aim of this seminar is widening opportunities and channels for businesses in the service industry through the help of a new marketing strategy,” the minister said. “The aim is to change retailing options from waiting walk-in customers to attracting them to the e-marketplace with promotions and discounts. It’s easier to approach customers this way, as well as support economic changes in the upcoming 5G era.”
Weerasak also said that some businesses will be selected for one-on-one coaching sessions, Q&A session, as well as a workshop developing business models to increase commercial value that suits entrepreneurs in the service industry.
As per data from the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council and from the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion, the 2018 revenue from the service sector stood at Bt7.1 trillion or 43.5 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Thailand has 1.2 million businesses in the service sector, or 40 per cent of total businesses in the country, with an export value of US$75.35 million.
“Within six years, the service industry’s exports expanded by 12 per cent, while the expansion rate of the manufacturing sector’s exports only stood at 1 per cent,” Weerasak said. “The e-commerce sector showed an interesting level of growth last year, expanding by 12 per cent worth Bt3.2 billion thanks to an increase in the number of people using online services.”