The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry is inviting the private sector to sponsor and hold activities at the Thai pavilion during the World Expo -- slated to take place in Dubai starting Oct 1 -- to help subsidise additional expenses incurred from the one-year delay of the world's biggest international exhibition.
An additional cost of 12.4 million baht has been attributed to pandemic-induced delays, according to the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa), the organisation responsible for operating the Thai pavilion and related activities.
The cost includes insurance coverage, security, maintenance and healthcare management systems.
The cabinet in 2018 approved a budget of 887 million baht for expo participation, which was allocated to Depa in fiscal 2020 and 2021.
Depa president and chief executive Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin said DES Minister Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn assigned Depa to invite companies to sponsor the pavilion and ease this additional expense.
He said four sectors are being targeted for the expo: telecom, healthcare and hospitals, hotels and beverages.
"Some of these sectors have expressed interest in participating," Mr Nuttapon said.
Private firms that sponsor the event are listed in the Thai pavilion's souvenir book and granted fast-track access when they visit the site.
They can hold activities at the pavilion for six months during the expo, which wraps up on March 31 next year.
He said some startups also expressed their intention to sponsor the pavilion.
Each company's sponsorship is capped at 3 million baht, said Mr Nuttapon.
Depa has spent more than 600 million baht on the construction of the pavilion and preparation for related activities.
The agency also allows individuals to make donations to the pavilion.
People who donate 2,000 baht or more receive fast-track access and a one-day visit permit to the Thai pavilion.
He said any excess sponsored and donated money beyond what is needed for expenses will be passed on to the government for public benefits, such as in the agriculture and education sectors.
World Expos take place every five years and are designed to showcase the achievements of nations.
World Expo 2020 Dubai was scheduled to take place in October last year, but was delayed a year due to the pandemic.
The event's theme is "Connecting Minds, Creating The Future", conceived to signal that people need to help develop the world together and inspire future generations.
The expo features three concepts: opportunity, mobility and sustain- ability.