Deputy PM Pushes ICC to Boost Thai SME Global Access
Deputy Prime Minister Supachai Sutthamphan met with ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton to discuss boosting Thai SMEs’ access to finance and global markets. The talks focused on skill development, funding access, and export expansion, with ICC proposing a digital 'One Click' tool to help SMEs navigate trade regulations and connect with finance experts. Officials also explored linking Thai businesses with ASEAN and Mekong networks to tap a market of 650 million people.
Supachai Sutthamphan said that amid shifting global economics and trade, Thailand must strengthen both exports and investment while diversifying markets to reduce reliance on a few export destinations and increase domestic value‑added. He noted that Thailand’s export value remains concentrated among large enterprises, with SMEs contributing only a small share, so boosting SME capacity to compete and reach foreign markets is essential. He stressed that supporting SMEs requires coordinated effort across agencies, citing Kobkos Phutrakul as the coordinator linking government bodies, Armon Sappradit for integrating Ministry of Commerce work, and Warawut Samahansaporn for promoting the creative economy, visitor economy, and international trade working groups.
The meeting identified three priority areas for SME uplift: developing business skills, improving access to finance, and expanding overseas markets. This includes training in accounting, inventory management, cash‑flow planning, and systematic business data preparation for loan applications, as well as managing intellectual property to create further business opportunities.
John W.H. Denton described the ICC as a global business organization with networks in over 170 countries, supporting world trade through international standards, digital trade documents, dispute resolution, and trade finance. He proposed a “One Click” digital tool to give SMEs quick access to export‑relevant information such as destination‑market regulations, and to connect them with trade‑finance experts to discuss funding avenues.
Both sides also discussed linking Thai business networks with ASEAN and the Mekong sub‑region, leveraging the ASEAN market of about 650 million people, and developing digital‑era trade rules to reduce obstacles and enhance opportunities for Thai exporters.
