MCOT branches out with SME showcase
MCOT Plc is diversifying into real estate, logistics and trading services by hosting MCOT Mart for Thai SMEs in an effort to create new revenue sources.
Under a barter deal with Asset World Corporation, the 300-square-metre space of MCOT Mart will be open for Thai SMEs at the AEC Trade Centre to showcase their products, from fashion to food, furniture, decorations and other consumer goods produced by SME partners with export potential.
A state enterprise and digital TV operator, MCOT is launching the trial MCOT Mart amid intense competition in digital TV. The aim is to generate at least 20 million baht in revenue next year from the service.
MCOT president Kematat Paladesh said the project could be expanded further to organising seminars and trade roadshows with the help of MCOT’s media arms.
He said the barter partnership with Asset World Corporation, the operator of AEC Trade Centre, offers a wide range of products from manufacturers nationwide.
Mr Kematat said the key economic drivers in the 4.0 era are enhancements in industrial competitiveness and domestic investment through industrial development strategies to generate revenue from exports.
Thai SMEs’ ability to expand products into Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) needs to be recognised, he said, and MCOT is willing to promote products through available media outlets.
“Our partners will benefit from lower investment costs from wholesale shelving and opportunities to trade goods on online platforms as well as export products to the Asean market,” Mr Kematat said.
At this stage, more than 100 SMEs have expressed interest in joining MCOT Mart. The shop will officially open in October, and the space is expected to generate at least 20 million baht next year.
Thanadit Charoenchan, chief executive of Asset World Corporation, said the AEC Trade Market is Thailand’s first and Asean’s biggest wholesale market, located on a 150rai area in Ayutthaya province.
He said the company is thrilled to cooperate with MCOT in launching MCOT Mart at the AEC Trade Market to serve as an integrated service centre providing business information, product quality inspection, product design and packaging services to all Thai SMEs.
AEC Trade Centre is set to open in the fourth quarter this year, and the company aims to penetrate the Chinese and CLMV markets.
Mr Thanadit said the AEC Trade Centre has an online-to-offline business model that will transform Thailand’s wholesale industry.
The company offers an online platform at www.toryodonline.com, Thailand’s sole online wholesale service, enabling Thai SMEs to trade their products online and connect them with the international e-commerce network.
“We are planning to partner with international companies in India, Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, South Africa and Russia to make Thai firms global,” Mr Thanadit said, adding that 50,000-70,000 visitors a year are expected on the platform.