Prayut outlines tasks for new DE Ministry

Prayut outlines tasks for new DE Ministry

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha arrives at Phuket airport on Friday to preside over a seminar entitled 'Digital Economy, Digital Thailand'. (Government House photo)
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha arrives at Phuket airport on Friday to preside over a seminar entitled 'Digital Economy, Digital Thailand'. (Government House photo)

Bridging digital network links between the public and private sectors will be a focal task for the new minister of digital economy and society (DE), says Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Implementing the digital economy roadmap through innovative digital technology will be another area of focus for the DE minister, Gen Prayut said on Friday in Phuket after a seminar on the digital economy in Thailand.

The premier said the government is embracing multiple innovative digital technologies to turn Thailand into a "smart" country.

The state is also providing tax incentives and easing regulatory processes to boost tech startups, improve the country's competitiveness and embrace the digital age.

Gen Prayut said the new DE Ministry must encourage the existing 2.8 million small and medium-sized enterprises across the country to use more digital technologies to enhance their efficiency and productivity as well as enhancing the level of connectivity.

Creating an urban information service marketplace is also needed with collaboration between the state and private sectors, in order to allow both sectors to place their links for requests for information.

Asked who would be appointed to serve as the new DE minister, Gen Prayut said he had no names in mind so far.

"It really doesn't matter at all who will be the new DE minister," he said.

"The most important thing is that Thailand now needs to embrace digital innovation to drive the digitally enabled economy."

The establishment of the new DE Ministry took effect on Thursday after an announcement in the Royal Gazette, replacing the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Ministry.

The outgoing ICT minister, Uttama Savanayana, tendered his resignation to Gen Prayut on Monday.

The cabinet on Tuesday appointed Deputy Prime Minister ACM Prajin Juntong to serve as acting DE minister, until the government selects a new minister.

The DE Ministry will take over all responsibilities from the ICT Ministry, the National Statistics Office, the Thai Meteorological Department, the Software Industry Promotion Agency, the Electronic Transactions Development Agency, Thailand Post, TOT Plc and CAT Telecom.

Songporn Komolsuradej, permanent secretary of the DE Ministry, said the transition from the previous ICT Ministry to the DE Ministry is expected to be completed over the next 30 days.

The transition includes organisational and management restructuring as well as ministerial regulations needing cabinet approval, she said.

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