Thailand Pushes SMEs Toward Green Business Growth

Thailand's Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Office is expanding green business initiatives and connecting local entrepreneurs with global markets through the Grand Halal and Thailand Tourism Thailand events, generating an estimated 69 million baht in economic value. Deputy director Panita Shinwatt said the office is pushing forward with a fiscal 2026 program to develop SME potential according to green business guidelines, preparing Thai entrepreneurs for international trade rules that increasingly emphasize environmental standards and sustainability. The program conducted seven nationwide training seminars with 246 participants—exceeding targets—and is now advancing participants to product exhibitions and business negotiations to create real market and income opportunities.

The global business environment is placing greater emphasis on environmental standards, particularly carbon measures and combating exaggerated environmental claims. Adapting to green business is therefore not merely a corporate social responsibility matter but a key strategy for building "green competitive advantage" and improving access to modern customers and supply chains. The office is supporting entrepreneurs through free services including Green SME Index assessments, in-depth consulting, and environmental standard verification (such as CFO, CFP, Green Hotel, and Green Production certifications) to help reduce costs, boost efficiency, and build product and service credibility.

On the marketing side, the office has brought trained entrepreneurs to real market events, covering booth expenses to test markets and create business opportunities. At the Grand Halal Bangkok 2026 event, the office brought seven green manufacturing, agricultural processing, food and beverage businesses to display products and conduct business-to-business negotiations with international halal market partners, attracting strong buyer interest, especially for products featuring low-carbon standards and sustainability. For the domestic market, the office is preparing 15 green service, tourism, hotel and accommodation, restaurant, and wellness businesses to participate in Thailand Tourism Thailand 79 (August 20–23, 2026) at Sirikit Convention Center, offering eco-tourism packages and services to environmentally conscious consumers to boost sales and create direct income.

The two events have already generated approximately 1.5 million baht in sales for participating entrepreneurs. The office is also preparing a Business Matching event on August 26, 2026, at Rama Gardens Hotel in Bangkok to connect SMEs with standard-certifying bodies, financial institutions for access to green finance, and clean energy technology and low-carbon logistics service providers. The entire program is expected to create not less than 69 million baht in economic value while elevating Thai SMEs to adapt to global trade rules and grow sustainably on a green business foundation.