The plan drawn up by the Industry Ministry aims to strengthen national competitiveness and reduce technology imports in the long term.

It will encourage more investment in R&D by Thai entrepreneurs, which will not only enable them to hold intellectual property rights to new manufacturing technologies and innovative products, but also earn foreign exchange for the country.

Deputy Industry Minister Piyabutr Cholvijarn said the plan incorporated three strategies. First, it aims to boost production capacity through new technologies. Second, the government will encourage the private sector to spend more on R&D in collaboration with educational institutions. The third strategy is to create closer links between sources for raw materials, manufacturers and end users. This will enable manufacturers to bring out products that directly meet market demand.

Piyabutr added that one of plan's goals was to have at least 35 per cent of Thai manufacturers adopt more advanced technology. Moreover, manufacturers will have to work more closely with educational institutions and researchers to bring out new technologies and products.

The most important goal is to raise Thailand's standing in the R&D rankings by the International Institute for Management Development to at least above the halfway point, he said.

Piyabutr said the industrial sector could not avoid investing in developing its own technologies, or else it would lose competitiveness against other countries.

For example, China's government currently spends a huge proportion of the country's budget on boosting productivity and developing intellectual property, he added.

The public hearing on the master plan will be attended by representatives from the Federation of Thai Industries, the Science and Technology Ministry and the National Economic and Social Development Board.

Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul

The Nation