IEAT takes SME centres up North
Broad-based effort to raise the bar for small firms’ technological know-how
The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) has opened its SMEs Industry Transformation Center (SMEsITC) at the Northern Region Industrial Estate in Lamphun, expecting to support local small and medium-sized enterprises in implementing business know-how and higher technology.
The SMEs-ITC is part of the government’s policy to support business and competitiveness among SMEs and startups under the Pracha Rat public-private initiative.
IEAT governor Somchint Pilouk said the authority aims to support smart electronics, food and food processing, and agriculture in the northern provinces because the area is home to localised manufacturing with the potential to compete globally.
The IEAT aims to open two more SMEsITCs next month at Lat Krabang Industrial Estate in Bangkok and Bangpoo Industrial Estate in Samut Prakan.
An SMEs-ITC was also opened at Laem Chabang Industrial Estate in Chon Buri.
“The centre will facilitate co-working spaces, meeting rooms, business lounges and business libraries for local SMEs and startups,” she said. “The government believes that the centre will help local businesses become more efficient.
“The centre will join in much cooperation from the state’s agencies, business operators, educational institutions and financial institutions to support business know-how and financial tools for them.”
The IEAT signed two agreements yesterday.
The first was with the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand to finance SME loans to upgrade operations for the Industry 4.0 stage.
“This programme will help both SMEs and startups access the financial system after signing,” Ms Somchint said. “The IEAT will collaborate with many distribution channels and knowledge sources to promote products in markets.”
The second agreement was with Chiang Mai University, the Federation of Thai Industries’ provincial chapters in upper northern provinces and the Office of Commercial Affairs in Lamphun to facilitate tools, equipment and innovation for SMEs and startups at the SMEs-ITCs.
“The university will provide support in the form of R&D activities, business advice, design and development of products, and marketing strategies,” Ms Somchint said.
The Industry Ministry will set up SMEsITCs in 13 provinces for SMEs and startups and establish “mini ITCs” in the remaining 64 provinces, expecting to cover all 77 provinces this year.
Additionally, the IEAT is hosting the auction for Map Ta Phut port’s third phase, a project worth 55.4 billion baht.
On Wednesday, the IEAT closed the sale of envelopes containing terms of reference. Ten of the bidders are Thai companies and eight are foreign companies.
After buying an envelope, each bidder must join a meeting detailing the auction conditions, then visit the site in Rayong province on Nov 28.
Bidders must submit their proposal papers to the IEAT by December. The winning bidder will be announced in February.
The seaport’s third phase is expected to begin operations in 2025.