Thailand and China’s Alibaba Group have arranged to collaboratively explore initiatives that would help develop Thailand’s e-commerce landscape.
As part of the agreement training will be provided for small and medium enterprises and individuals. The collaboration also covers exploring ways to enhance the country's logistics capabilities to support Thailand 4.0 and Digital Economy strategies.
At the invitation of Alibaba, Thailand's deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak led a delegation comprising senior government officials and representative of the private sector to Alibaba's headquarters in Hangzhou, China. Here Thailand's permanent secretary Wiboonlasana Ruamraksathe and Alibaba Group president Michael Evans signed the agreement.
"This visit to Alibaba represents a continuation of the bilateral talks between the Prime Minister and Jack Ma," Jatusripitak said.
Jatusripitak disclosed that the Prime Minister has earlier assigned responsibilities to a task force made up of government agencies and private enterprises to work with Alibaba in a joint effort to lift the export capabilities of Thai businesses.
"The signing of the agreement between the Ministry of Commerce and Alibaba is in line with the government's policy to drive Thailand forward under the Thailand 4.0 and Digital Economy strategies, and marks a new chapter in our public-private partnership with world-class organizations and leading e-commerce platforms, as well as academic institutions in the future," he said.
Ma said at the ceremony that Alibaba is honored to have the opportunity to work with the Thai government.
"Since the founding of our company 17 years ago, Alibaba's vision has always been about empowering small businesses and young people, particularly those in developing nations. We want to partner with governments and organizations that share this vision and commitment,” he said.
Under the agreement, Alibaba and its majority owned e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia, Lazada Group, will help provide the training. They will also share their experience and expertise with the Thai government to help build Thailand's own National E-Commerce Platform.
The companies will likewise collaborate on the creation of a nationwide People and Talent Development Program, which aims to train around 10,000 individuals so they can be proficient in digital technology.