The World Economic Forum (WEF), an international organisation for public-private Cooperation, has agreed to team up with a Thai government unit to upgrade Thailand's competitiveness and industrial reforms.
Justin Wood, Asia-Pacific head of the WEF, who met yesterday with Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, said WEF and the Thai government will conduct a programme to enhance Thai competitiveness and economic growth in the long run.
"The WEF wants to ensure inclusive economic growth for all stakeholders as well as the development of the business community," said Mr Wood.
"The Thai government is on the right track to implement innovation and technology development, with Thailand 4.0 meant to help strengthen Thai economic growth."
He said WEF has already collected economic and social information for its global competitiveness report, which is scheduled to be disclosed this September or October.
Mr Somkid said the National Economic and Social Development Board will be tasked with working with WEF in the development programme.
He said the country's development programme should conform with Thailand's reform plans such as the national 20-year strategy plan (2018-38), Thailand 4.0 policy and 10 targeted industries.
The development programme should also enhance the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises, promote startups and enhance the inclusive growth.
Mr Somkid said WEF will this year apply new criteria in its competitiveness ranking to focuses more on private sector innovation in order to support 4.0 policy.
He said the government has implemented a raft of policies to strengthen the country's capability on innovation in the public sector and promote measures to support the business community to upgrade their technology and innovation.
Mr Somkid said the Thai government has also called on WEF to organise a forum in Thailand next year in parallel with the Asean summit, where Thailand will be the chair.
WEF has organised WEF Asean 2018 in Hanoi this year during Sept 11-13.
Mr Somkid also convinced WEF of Thailand's readiness to organise WEF Asean Summit 2020 to support the Eastern Economic Corridor and enhance Thailand's role in Asean as the country attempts to create economic linkages to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
The WEF report for 2017-18 released last September ranked Thailand 32nd out of 137 countries in competitiveness, up two notches.