The highly anticipated expo commenced on Thursday, with organizers proclaiming it as the biggest event of its kind in Southeast Asia. Pun-Arj Chairatana, the Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency, expressed his excitement during the expo’s inauguration, stating that the fusion of innovation and startups forms the crux of this phenomenal event. Its primary aim is to connect the world through a blend of fully digital and hybrid formats.
According to Pun-Arj, the expo serves as a gathering place for innovators of all scales, ranging from major industry players to emerging startups. It brings together innovation enthusiasts from around the globe, as well as pioneering entrepreneurs, investors, and delegates from both public and private sectors. The expo’s underlying mission is to foster an innovation ecosystem for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), instill a mindset of innovation, and inspire the younger generation to explore a variety of career paths.
One key focus of the expo is to address the ongoing challenge of effective collaboration among government agencies, private sector entities, and civil society. This year’s event is centered around the theme “Innovation Partnership – Together We Can Grow.” This partnership integrates four essential sectors – public, private, education, and social – in order to provide comprehensive support to startups and innovative enterprises. The ultimate goal is to fortify Thailand’s innovation ecosystem and propel the nation towards an innovation-driven future, as explained by Pan-arj.
He further elaborated on the expo’s objectives, stating: “We want to clearly illustrate how the government and public agencies will act as assistants, users, and creators of innovation. We also want to show the significant growth of the Thailand startup universe and how we have reached an era of economic reform after the development of the manufacturing industry.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Don Pramudwinai acknowledged the evolution of innovation from mere convenience to a powerful force capable of enhancing the quality of life, society, and economy. He emphasized the role of innovation in promoting sustainable development and its ability to make entrepreneurs more competitive while opening up new economic opportunities.
Don Pramudwinai also said, “Promoting a shift from consumers to creators, from being passive to being proactive, is a challenging task for our nation. However, witnessing today’s achievements, I see a glimmer of hope and believe in the power of collaboration. I think we are on the right track. By sowing seeds, promoting knowledge, supporting development funding, and strengthening our capabilities to compete at the global level, I see the fruits of our efforts beginning to blossom.”
The expo has been organized by the National Innovation Agency, in partnership with the Public Sector Development Commission, the Board of Investment, and the Thai Chamber of Commerce. The event is taking place at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre and will run from Thursday to Saturday.
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