Strategic roadmap planned

INDUSTRY

Industry policymakers are preparing to draw up a strategic roadmap to set the direction for Thailand's industrial sector over the next 10 years.

The Office of Industrial Economics said new roadmaps would be aimed at adjusting each industry toward changing global economic conditions and at promoting local capability to catch up with the new trading conditions.

The OIE is preparing to spend 65 million baht of its 584-million-baht annual budget on the strategic plan. Another 60 million baht will be spent to improve the OIE's information providing system.

The new roadmap will also help local industry cope better with the recovering global economy. Parts of the plan would include development of electric train parts and components to maximise benefits local industries could gain from government stimulus spending, said Arthit Wuthikaro, the OIE director-general.

Environmental issues will also be a crucial element in the roadmap as the industrial sector is desperately seeking ways to work with local communities and activists who are very concerned about the environmental impact of industries.

"Besides the environment, regional trade integration will also be taken into consideration. More in-depth information will help industrial operators realise the economic situation," said Mr Arthit.

"We are also developing an early warning system that will advise on industrial conditions two months in advance."

More than half of the office's fiscal budget for 2010 starting this month will be spent on implementing projects to improve industrial productivity.

Projects to improve worker skills, business management, logistics, machinery efficiency and supply chain will be co-ordinated with Industry Ministry institutes for implementation.

Up to 27 projects are planned to improve skills of 18,455 workers and reduce production costs in 652 factories.

In co-operation with industrial institutes, the OIE hopes to develop seven innovative ideas that could be turned into 40 commercialised products to improve local industrial competitiveness.