The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (Osmep) is partnering with Silpakorn University to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the digital content industry, including knowledge sharing and business matching, as part of efforts to drive the growth of the segment and the overall economy.
Director-general Veerapong Malai said Osmep focuses on helping SMEs by enhancing their business efficiency and competitiveness in the international market.
SMEs are regarded as the country's core segment and Osmep supports them, he said.
Based on a survey commissioned by the Digital Economy Promotion Agency and research and tech training provider IMC Institute, the value of Thailand's digital content industry is expected to reach 45.1 billion baht next year, a projected rise of 15% year-on-year, driven by animation, gaming and character development.
"The business sector has been ravaged by the pandemic. SMEs are seen as an important driver of economic growth," said Mr Veerapong.
"Each segment needs different assistance approaches to ensure their products respond to the needs of the markets and drive their competitiveness in both domestic and international markets."
Osmep organised activities to support digital content ventures for three consecutive years in collaboration with Silpakorn University, including business matching events.
"The digital content business is among the clusters that receive full support from Osmep to enhance their potential, in close cooperation with the state and private sector along with other alliances," he said.
These SMEs are encouraged to develop connections with other stakeholders, such as entrepreneurs, buyers and those in other industries.
According to Mr Veerapong, the digital content business has the potential to help drive domestic economic growth.
Three years of business matching events are expected to generate 1,200 entrepreneur pairings creating business value of 300 million baht, he said.
Natthaporn Karnjanapoomi, dean of Silpakorn University's faculty of information and communication technology, said the university, which has expertise in art and design, has a clear policy to work with other organisations for information exchange and knowledge transfer.
The university has offered digital content courses for more than 17 years, helping to shape students who can combine knowledge of design, digital technology media and marketing to increase the strength of the sector, she said.
Activities run until September and include knowledge-sharing events joined by those in character design, licensing and merchandising, content creation, animation, motion graphics and new media.
The events help SMEs promote their products, improve their competitiveness and explore business opportunities in overseas markets, said Ms Natthaporn.
