TUESDAY, March 19, 2024
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NIA unfurls 'Innovation Thailand' road map

NIA unfurls 'Innovation Thailand' road map

The National Innovation Agency (NIA) has unveiled a mission to power Thai development under the new Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation.

The agency will operate as the “national innovation system integrator”, forging collaborations between academia, technology, industry, finance and other sectors to create real economic and social impacts. The new mission comes with a five-pronged plan: to reform innovation-related laws, build innovative regions, forge new innovative “economic warriors”, strengthen financing for innovation, and create awareness of “Innovation Thailand”.
“The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation has declared the NIA will be responsible for manpower development, ecosystems and innovative infrastructure,” explained Pun-Arj Chairatana, executive director of the NIA. 
“This merging and restructuring of the new ministry is a turning point that will help drive Thailand forward. Competent manpower will help many sectors be prepared for future changes,” he added.
“Previously, we only focused on supporting innovative entrepreneurs through funding. … Now, NIA is ready to become the ecosystem builder and system integrator between partner organisations and entrepreneurs. 
“We have knowledge, an ecosystem, business ideas, open innovation development concepts, and new opportunities to share. This adjustment will also support regional innovation, lower barriers in accessing resources and services, and expand cooperation in other related target activities.”
The NIA’s role as innovation integrator has two dimensions, Pun-Ari explained. 
First is horizontal integration of supply-side development by creating a network of agencies which support innovation development in order to strengthen collaboration within the ecosystem. Second is vertical integration of demand-side development by connecting and coordinating with the private sector, civil society and stakeholders for innovation creation with economic and social impact.
To meet this objective, a fivefold plan will unfold between 2020 and 2023 to:
1. Reform innovation laws by reducing limitations and creating a conducive environment for the growth of innovations, such as improving laws on startups law and the use of technology and innovation in business.
2. Build innovative regions to raise equality and strong development in regional innovation networks. NIA will connect local government departments, universities, private sector and communities with three goals: a) Increasing innovation in the workforce, and raising the number of innovators and innovative organisations in the region; b) Developing target industrial clusters in the region to increase investment potential; and c) Supporting the innovation identity of the region in order to expand the investment in the innovation business of the region.
3. Building new innovative economic warriors, which will focus on creating innovators and innovation – especially those with global potential – to enhance the country's competitiveness. Creating a minimum of 20,000 jobs.
4. Building financing by stimulating support and investment from government agencies, large corporations, financial institutions, and also creating marketing plans for entrepreneurs.
5. Creating awareness of “Innovation Thailand” through cooperation and campaigns that promote global recognition for Thailand and Thais as a hotbed of high-tech and new idea.
Future-oriented strategy will be paired with concrete actions to support plans. For example, the Groom, Grant and Growth programmes will increase opportunities for innovative business development. Groom is an incubator for business entrepreneurs, Grant will support access to funding, while Growth will enhance innovation capability and create investment opportunities on the international stage. Meanwhile area-based organisation will take the form of innovation corridors, cities and districts. Lastly, the Startup Thailand programme will support new businesses by enhancing workers’ capacity for innovation via education at the NIA Academy, the Centre for Agricultural Innovation Business, and Innovation Foresight Institute.

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