The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa) aims to support 10,000 micro-enterprises and vendors in communities and fresh markets to adopt technological solutions this year, allowing them to improve their capabilities during the pandemic.
A smart economy plan for micro and informal enterprises was initiated last year as a trial run, with tech support provided to small vendors on Phahon Yothin Road in Bangkok.
The assistance has been broadened this year to six provinces: Nonthaburi, Sing Buri, Lop Buri, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Pathom and Samut Prakan.
Last year, more than 2,000 micro-enterprises and stall vendors adopted tech solutions provided by Depa- supported startups, which helped streamline their operations and sales.
These solutions include queueing systems, enterprise resource planning, and point of sales systems and digital payments.
Depa president and chief executive Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin said the programme offers a broad range of digital solutions for small enterprises with technologies developed by local startups.
The solutions are provided free during the trial period, while over the long term a small usage fee is proposed, he said.
Another 10,000 micro-enterprises are targeted to receive support by the end of this year, while 65,000 are slated next year, said Mr Nuttapon.
The targets include barber shops, spa and massage facilities as well as rice and curry vendors.
"Depa spends 1,500 baht to assist each of them in adopting tech solutions," he said.
The agency is about to draft the budget details of the project for next year, said Mr Nuttapon.
"The move is part of a measure to provide all people in the grassroots economy with greater access to digital technologies and solutions," he said.
Depa is gearing up efforts to promote digital technology adoption among local communities, in line with the government's digital transformation policy.
This project has been carried out for three years, helping 234 communities thus far, said Mr Nuttapon.
A total of 300 communities across the country are targeted for support under the programme by the end of this year.
Financing is provided by Depa's digital transformation fund.
Under the project 5,492 small and medium-sized enterprises and shops in communities have adopted digital tech platforms and solutions, such as e-commerce platforms and point of sales tools, he said.
The programme also provides digital skill training for around 10,000 people per year.
Since 2018, Depa has initiated 900 development projects with financial support from its digital transformation fund, said Mr Nuttapon.
He estimates more than 20 billion baht in economic value has been generated from the projects.
.png?w=600)
