They were speaking at a forum on His Majesty the King's philosophy and the government's policy of promoting sustainable economic growth in the Kingdom.

They said that in this era of globalisation, when most enterprises consumed large quantities of natural resources, it was essential to adapt a sufficiency-economy philosophy and eco-efficiency in business and daily life.

At the seminar "Eco-Efficiency Forum: Eco-Efficient Agro-Industry and Sufficiency Economy a Profitable Environment for SMEs", they said the sufficiency-economy philosophy was the best way to develop business while also preserving the environment.

Natural Resources and Environment deputy permanent Chatree Chueyprasit said the country's major waterways, air and nature were confronted with serious environmental problems, because of the preoccupation of businesses in obtaining maximum individual benefit.

He said the solution to the problem was not imposing stringent punishments on persons who violated the environment law, but instilling morals and the sufficiency economy philosophy.

The forum called the sufficiency economy a universal philosophy, one that could be applied at any level, from the macroeconomic to the micro-unit and from a national context to a global one.

A sufficiency economy has three simple tenets: to be moderate; to be knowledgeable and reasonable; and to be "immunised".

This philosophy can be applied to all businesses, because it encourages people to realise the importance of natural resources. It also teaches people to use natural resources in the most efficient way, while also saving for the next generation.

Chatree said small and medium-sized enterprises would play an important role in the business sector in the near future and that promoting good environmental practices would help them achieve sustainable growth.

Juergen Koch, country director of GTZ-German Technical Cooperation in Bangkok, said the sufficiency economy could be applied in all sectors. The philosophy not only can create a sustainable Thai society, but it can also be expanded in an international context.

Kasetsart University lecturer Charan Chantalakhana said that although some people might think the sufficiency economy was inappropriate for industrial manufacturers, the philosophy could be profitably employed by all.

People can use the philosophy, starting with self-assessment and estimating how a business can grow in an efficient manner, while not hurting the environment.

He advised businessmen to focus on benefiting the majority of the population before thinking of their own welfare.

"Many companies target maximum benefit for themselves, but the best way to promote sustainable growth is to strive for optimum benefit," he said.

Hans Ruppert, a lecturer at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Sustainable Development at the University of Goettingen in Germany, said the sufficiency economy could help save the environment.

"Sustainable alternatives are urgently needed in order to save the environment," he said, adding that the philosophy could not only create income for rural folk, but also help people in industries and cities save energy and natural resources.

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation