KUALA LUMPUR: Thailand's Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa), through the Transform: New-normal Market (Extended) Campaign, has successfully established a digital marketplace prototype involving 25 provinces and generated an economic value of over 450 million baht (RM59.6 million).
Following this achievement, the agency is now preparing to take the next steps in expanding awareness and fostering the adoption of digital technology among grassroot entrepreneurs nationwide.
The strategic initiative will play a pivotal role in revolutionising traditional fresh markets, ushering Depa into a new era and propelling Thailand towards a robust and sustainable digital economy and society.
Depa president and chief executive officer, Assistant Professor Dr Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, said in a statement that the campaign has been designed to promote and facilitate the adoption of digital technology among diverse groups of entrepreneurs, including SMEs (Small, Medium Enterprises), vendors, hawkers, stall owners and market proprietors.
"The goal is to enhance operational efficiency, empowering them to compete effectively through innovative means and foster sustainable growth.
"This campaign has been rolled out in targeted areas spanning 25 provinces, including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Nan, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Nakhorn Ratchasima, Rayong, Ratchaburi, Saraburi, Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani, Trang and Nakhon Sri Thammarat," he said.
Nuttapon said the campaign which was implemented starting February this year has showcased a series of robust actions including conducting surveys to assess digital technology needs and engaging with 75 market proprietors across 25 provinces, organising practical training workshops to enhance digital skills among entrepreneurs.
"It included hosting digital technology exhibitions to facilitate business matching opportunities between local operators and digital startups and service providers.
"Apart from that, Depa also offers accessible online courses to provide constructive digital knowledge and skill training, allowing entrepreneurs and interested individuals to enrol without any charges," he said.
He added that through the campaign, Depa has received an excellent response and successfully met its goals with more than 13,200 entrepreneurs participating from 75 markets across 25 provinces.
"The top three provinces with the highest number of registered participants were Phetchaburi (594 participants), Pathum Thani (578 participants) and Rayong (567 participants).
"The top three market categories where digital technology was most extensively applied include the flea markets (5,637 stores), fresh markets(4,290 stores) and night markets (922 stores)," he said.
He mentioned that among the various digital technologies, the top three that garnered the most interest from entrepreneurs were Services (averaging 44.53 per cent), E-Payment (averaging 28.73 per cent) and Logistics/Delivery (averaging 17.84 per cent).
"Our five online training courses, conducted from April to August this year, also recorded over 850,000 views. These significant achievements are considered a substantial contribution to revitalising our grassroot economy through digital means," he said.
Up to this point, he said the two phases of Transform: New-normal Market Campaign have reached small- and medium-sized operators in 35 provinces.
"With a strong commitment to advancing Thailand towards a fully sustainable digital economy and society, Depa is now extending the campaign to reach more operators in all 77 Thai provinces in the near future. --BERNAMA