The Marketing Association of Thailand (MAT) will coach Thai small and medium-sized enterprises in an effort to help drive the country's economic growth.
Over the course of her two-year term at MAT, president Supattra Paopiamsap said she will put more effort into developing the marketing capabilities of Thailand's SMEs and startups, which will help provide sustainable growth for their businesses.
The strategy is in line with the government's policy, which entails the private sector and associations in various business areas helping support Thai SMEs.
"If our SMEs get stronger and have sustainable growth, they will help our country have economic sustainability," said Mrs Supattra.
MAT will talk with other associations such as the Thai Retailers Association and the Thailand Management Association on potential collaborative efforts to support SMEs, build their businesses and expand internationally in the long term.
Mrs Supattra said the association aims to boost Thai brands over the next three years.
It will rely on four main strategies to reach its goal: building marketers with digital mindsets; equipping startups with marketing knowledge; encouraging Thai businesses to grow regionally and globally; and getting insight and foresight to generate innovations and new ideas.
Corporate social responsibility and collaborative synergy are two other key factors needed for sustainability.
Meanwhile, MAT plans to arrange marketing workshops for SMEs with different areas of expertise.
"Thai SMEs have creativity and are great in doing business and they can go further if they can differentiate themselves by using marketing skills," she said, adding that there are about 200,000-300,000 entrepreneurs in Thailand.
"In every economic situation, there are always opportunities. If we can seize on those opportunities, we can grow our businesses. In today's competitive markets, innovation is the key to success. SMEs should continue to seek business opportunities and differentiate their products," said Mrs Supattra.