Deputy PM Ekniti Identifies Public Procurement as Economic Engine for Asia-Pacific Region
Deputy PM Ekniti opened a three-day international conference in Bangkok highlighting how strategic public procurement can drive jobs and innovation across the Asia-Pacific region, with Thailand implementing digital, green, and innovation-fo
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas opened the International Public Procurement Conference 2026 (IPPC 2026) on April 27, 2025, a forum bringing together policy leaders from East Asia and the Pacific region. The conference aims to elevate public procurement from an administrative mechanism to a strategic economic tool capable of generating employment, fostering innovation, and driving sustainable economic development. The three-day event runs through April 29 at Bangkok's Millennium Hilton under the theme "Procurement for Prosperity: Driving Jobs, Innovation, and Impact in East Asia and Pacific," hosted by the Comptroller General's Department in partnership with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and over 20 countries.
During his keynote address, Ekniti emphasized that global public procurement represents approximately 12% of world GDP and up to 20% in some developed nations, reflecting the direct impact of government spending on economic structure. He noted that improving public procurement efficiency could save up to 10% of project costs, which could be redirected toward broader and sustainable economic development. Thailand's government has adopted a "4T" policy framework—Target, Transition, Transformation, and Together—focused on resource efficiency, support for sustainable economic transition, workforce development, and enhanced public-private-civil society collaboration.
Thailand is advancing its procurement system through three pillars: digital procurement enhancing transparency and data utilization, green procurement considering long-term environmental impacts, and innovation-focused procurement prioritizing outcomes over price. The government is also improving procedures and reducing barriers for small and medium enterprises through the e-GP system linked to financing via the PromptBiz platform, while promoting the "Made in Thailand" policy to support domestic industries. These initiatives are expected to create employment, stimulate innovation, and generate positive economic, social, and environmental impacts beyond budget savings alone.
