Chiang Mai to become tech hub

During the initial stage of operations, the Chiang Mai Software Technology and Outsourcing Centre is expected to generate at least Bt3 billion and create at least 5,000 jobs for the country.

Software Technology and Outsourcing Centre business development director Akarapong Phongsuwan said the centre will house a 23-storey building for the 300-rai Chiang Mai Business Park. The Chiang Mai Software Park, an Animation and Multimedia Centre and an Outsourcing Centre are the three main features of the centre.

The Chiang Mai Software Park  will be equipped with three main business units - a software park, a business support unit, and the certification and training centre.

"Chiang Mai Software Park is a collaboration between us and the Software Park Thailand. The investment has been provided by a private company under the V Group and its management will be handled by the Software Park Thailand. This will be a part of the Software Park Thailand and the Software Park Oceania Alliance," Akarapong said.

The park includes technology infrastructure and facilities, and an incubation centre. Its technology infrastructure includes a telecommunication network, a data centre, a server room and a security system.

"We aim to make the software-development centre for the Northern region. We not only offer space and technology but also business matching and marketing. As a member of the Software Park Thailand and Software Park Oceania Alliance, we can pool in and utilise resources within the network to promote Chiang Mai's software abroad. We can also pull in software-outsourcing projects for local companies located in the park," Akarapong said.

The park will also provide the option of venture capital for companies in the park.

"All services and facilities of Software Park Thailand will be provided here, including certification and training. We will team up with the park to develop curriculums and lecturers to train people in Chiang Mai and nearby provinces without their needing to travel to Bangkok," Akarapong said. 

The Animation and Multimedia Centre will be developed into an animation and multimedia production hub. It will be established through a joint venture between Chiang Mai Business Centre and global animation and multimedia companies from America and Korea. The centre will develop 3D games and long film animations.

"We have signed memorandum of understanding with three universities in Chiang Mai in order to develop a curriculum to help them train animators. We will also develop separate animation and multimedia training courses. The move will develop human resources to take on outsourcing jobs from abroad," Akarapong said.

The centre will also provide animation and multimedia facilities (such as computer-graphics development tools and motion-capture technology), and studios for computer graphic centres, in-door studios, rendering farms, server farms and editing rooms.

Akarapong said the other part of the project - the outsourcing centre - will provide outsourcing services, such as business-process outsourcing and call-centre services.

The Chiang Mai Software Technology and Outsourcing Centre is scheduled to be set up and running in 2011.  The building is expected to be ready by next year.