On 26 August 2024, the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP), in collaboration with NXPO, hosted the “Green SME Forum 2024: Assembling the Path to Sustainability” at the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center. This networking event gathered public and private organizations dedicated to supporting the green economy transition of SMEs. The forum focused on raising awareness, fostering an innovation ecosystem, and building the capacity of SMEs to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Key topics included standards and certification, access to funding, market integration, and benefits.
During the event, representatives from seven organizations made a joint declaration to drive the development of an innovation ecosystem aimed at facilitating the transition of SMEs towards a circular and green economy. The representatives were: 1) Dr. Thitiwat Adisornphankul, Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minister for Political Affairs; 2) Mr. Komain Teekatananon, Advisor to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment; 3) Ms. Suchada Thaensap, Secretary to the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI); 4) Mr. Apichit Prasoprat, Vice Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and President of Small & Medium Industrial Institute (SMI); 5) Mr. Tawatchai Settachinda, Vice Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand; 6) Mr. Krit Chansuwan, Deputy Director General of The Office of Industrial Economics representing Ministry of Industry; and 7) Dr. Chaiyod Bunyagidj, Vice President of Thai SCP Association.
The event also featured an MOU signing between OSMEP and the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT). This MoU aims to support the green economy transformation of SMEs within the manufacturing sector located in industrial estates managed by IEAT, thereby enhancing their competitiveness and ensuring long-term business sustainability.
Ms. Suchada Thaensap, Secretary to MHESI Minister, emphasized the significant impact of climate change, which has led to global efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. In Thailand, climate goals have been incorporated into the National Strategic Plan, the National Economic and Social Development Plan, and the Science, Research, and Innovation Plan. She noted that Thai enterprises must embrace this green transition to navigate climate-driven trade barriers and secure their place in global supply chains. “NXPO has been tasked with representing MHESI in integrating the efforts of various agencies and developing an innovation ecosystem that promotes this transition,” Ms. Suchada stated.
As the primary agencies responsible for policy formulation and coordination, OSMEP and NXPO will serve as central hubs, connecting the efforts of public and private organizations in supporting the green economy transition. Partners in this cooperation include the Revenue Department, the Department of Agricultural Extension, the Department of Climate Change and Environment, the Pollution Control Department, the Department of Industrial Works, the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning, the Board of Investment, the Thai Industrial Standards Institute, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Bio-Based Economy Development Office, the National Innovation Agency, the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization, the Institute for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, the Thailand Environment Institute, the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand, the Export-Import Bank of Thailand, the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, the Federation of Thai Industries, the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand, and the Thai Sustainable Consumption and Production Network (Thai SCP Network).
