The research team from NXPO and the International College of Digital Innovation (ICDI) at Chiang Mai University embarked on a visit to China from 3 to 8 July 2023. The purpose of the trip was to conduct a comprehensive study on logistic free trade zones and cross-border e-commerce. This visit was a component of the Strengthening Entrepreneurs in Lancang-Mekong for Route Number 1 Innovation Corridor Development Project. Led by NXPO President Dr. Kitipong Promwong and ICDI Dean Asst. Prof. Dr. Rujira Ouncharoen, the team traveled to Shanghai and Kunming to explore these areas of interest.
During the visit, the research team engaged with various organizations and potential collaborators, including the Shanghai Outstanding Contribution Expert Association, as well as management teams of and enterprises in the Shanghai Zhangjiang High-tech Industrial Development Zone, the Mohan-Boten Economic Cooperation Zone, and the Kunming High-tech Industrial Development Zone.
Founded in 1993, the Shanghai Outstanding Contribution Expert Association strives to build a network of distinguished scientists, engineers, academicians, and high-level officials in Shanghai. Their mission is to facilitate knowledge exchange and technology transfer among members. Discussions between the Thai delegation and the association focused on fostering the Yangtze-Mekong cooperation and working towards achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the six countries of the Mekong region and the six provinces along the Yangtze River basin. The proposed mechanisms for cooperation encompassed academic collaboration, trade collaboration through trade shows, and the initiation of new projects under the Belt and Road Initiative.
The Shanghai Zhangjiang Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone is well recognized for its biomedical engineering and medical device industry. The Thai research team met with MicroPort Group, Origincell Technology Group and Bosch Group. MicroPort is a medical technology company of 25-year experience, with the focus on medical devices and medical informatics. Origincell Technology is a leader in core technologies supporting cell bank operation such as cell cryopreservation and cell culture. Both MicroPort and Origincell Technology emphasized the importance of fostering entrepreneurship and supporting companies in their respective industries to facilitate growth, a direction that Thailand could follow. Mr. SUN He from Bosch Group presented information on Bosch S-3 Digital Academy, emphasizing their commitment to nurturing innovation-driven enterprises (IDEs). Successful startups like Ziyun IoT, a digital transformation service provider, and Match Box, a marketing service provider, have benefited from Bosch’s incubation program. The Thai delegation and Mr. SUN explored potential collaborations, including the development of a Digital Talent Academy in Thailand to offer tailored modules for workforce development and cross-border e-commerce training, and the launch of a Large Language Model (ChatGPT) competition in Thailand.
The Mohan-Boten Economic Cooperation Zone is located in China’s southern city of Mohan, Yunnan Province, bordering the city of Boten in Laos. Covering an area of 21 sq. m. across China and Laos, this zone was developed as a free-trade and tariff-free zone to attract investment under the Belt and Road Initiative. The team engaged with the management team of the Mohan Border Trade Zone to discuss the role of Mohan’s transport and logistics infrastructure, including roads and railways, in facilitating Thai-Chinese trade involving goods, fruits (such as durian and mangosteen), and agricultural commodities. The discussions also touched upon areas that require improvement, such as the logistics system and cost, to facilitate smoother cross-border trade.
At the Kunming High-tech Industrial Development Zone, the team met with two companies: Yunnan Botanee Bio-Technology Group and Yunnan Marvel Additive Manufacturing Technology. Yunnan Botanee Bio-Technology Group, a leading cosmetics company in Yunnan Province, specializes in products derived from Chinese herbal plants like Portulaca oleracea and Yunnan camellia. Yunnan Marvel Additive Manufacturing Technology provides 3D printing services for medical applications. The discussions between NXPO and the management team of the Kunming High-tech Industrial Development Zone centered around cooperation on entrepreneurial development in Thailand and Kunming.
