ส.อ.ท. จัดประชุมสามัญ แถลงผลงานปี 67 ขับเคลื่อนอุตฯ สีเขียว เพื่ออนาคตไทยที่ยั่งยืนFTI Holds Annual Meeting to Present 2025 Achievements in Driving Green Industries for a Sustainable Thailand

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), led by Mr. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, President of FTI, organized the annual general meeting for 2025 under the theme "Driving Green Industries, Sustaining Thailand’s Future." The objective of the meeting was to present the achievements of FTI's operations over the past year 2024. The event was honored by a special lecture from Mr. Aeknath Prompan, Minister of Industry, who delivered a keynote speech on "Industry 5.0: Elevating Thai Industries to Overcome Global Economic Challenges" at the BALLROOM 1 - 2, 1st Floor, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

Mr. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, President of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), stated, "Currently, the world is undergoing changes and facing multifaceted challenges, such as geopolitical issues, trade wars, and climate change. Therefore, Thailand must adapt and cope, especially in the industrial sector, to drive the economy forward robustly. The FTI is ready to collaborate with all sectors, including the government, private sector, educational institutions, international organizations, and civil society, to enhance Thai industries' competitiveness in the global market by continuing operations in the terms of 2024-2026 under the policy ‘ONE FTI’ (ONE Vision, ONE Team, ONE Goal). This focuses on the development of traditional industries (First Industries) comprising 47 industry groups (11 clusters) and 76 provincial industry councils (5 regions/clusters), along with elevating to new industries or future industries (Next-GEN Industries) that include target industries (S-Curves), development through bio-economy, circular economy, and green economy (BCG), as well as addressing climate change. This will foster development in the social and economic spheres alongside environmental preservation while creating collaboration with industry groups and provincial industry councils towards a shared goal of strengthening Thai industries for a more resilient Thailand, which is the vision for this operational agenda."

Furthermore, the FTI has strategically planned its operations in 5 areas: 1. Industry Collaboration – Strengthening the Thai industrial sector, 2. First to Next-Gen Industry – Driving industries into the future, 3. Smart SMEs – Elevating SMEs to international standards, 4. Smart Service Platform – Developing services to enhance Thai industries, and 5. Sustainability, Achieve ESG – Promoting sustainable industries.

As a result of the operations in the year 2024 under Industry Collaboration, FTI pushed operational proposals for industrial development in 8 areas, including preparing proposals to stimulate the economy and enhance the Thai manufacturing sector (Position paper) to be presented to Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister, and relevant government agencies, serving as a guideline for the government’s operational framework to stimulate the economy and advance the Thai manufacturing sector. It also promoted cooperation between industrial groups and provincial industry councils in the “One Industry, One Province” model, such as the Modular House promotion project, studies on the utilization of stone dust from quarries, food safety management throughout the supply chain, and collaborative projects using souvenirs from creative handicraft industries to enhance producers' production capacity and increase product value. Additionally, it aimed to resolve business operation obstacles for ease of doing business, as well as addressing complaints from members concerning electricity costs, requests for reduced loan amounts, and refunds for electricity deposits from the Metropolitan Electricity Authority, issues related to the impact of exporting certain types of processed wood, and addressing issues with non-standard products, enhancing cooperation with international agencies, such as promoting policy proposals to boost international trade through international cooperation meetings. It also developed projects promoting smart agricultural industries (SAI) to enhance comprehensive agriculture, bringing agricultural industries to all provinces. In 2024, the FTI promoted the establishment of new industrial groups and clusters, forming the 47th industrial group, the Aerospace Industry Club, and establishing 4 new clusters comprising petrochemicals, modern automobiles, health and beauty industries, and construction materials.

In its efforts for First to Next-Gen Industries, the FTI enhanced capabilities regarding innovation and technology through the Innovation ONE project, supported by the Science, Research and Innovation Promotion Fund (SRIP) of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA). The initiative aimed to develop Thai startup businesses and enhance the competitiveness of medium-sized and small enterprises as well as sector-specific industries. It received budget support of 1 billion Baht and within the past year, the Innovation ONE funding project approved support for entrepreneurs exceeding 360 million Baht.

In terms of Smart SMEs, the FTI promotes and develops SMEs in 4 areas: 1) GO Digital & AI - Mobilizing over 1,700 SMEs to adapt to digital technology through the “Digital One” project (Digital One Starter Package), which involves enhancing Thai SMEs with diverse digital technology solutions to improve efficiency; 2) GO Innovation - Supporting 300 SMEs to become innovation-driven organizations by facilitating access to innovation and research through the Innovation ONE funding project and various innovative initiatives, while also providing financial support to SMEs; 3) GO Green - Encouraging over 351 SMEs to transition into green businesses and prepare them for sustainable organizational practices (ESG) while promoting the use of environmentally friendly products and services. Furthermore, it has facilitated the participation of SMEs in the SME Green Index assessment to adapt to green business practices and attain Eco Label certifications; 4) GO Global - Preparing over 600 SMEs for domestic and international markets by enabling them to produce and export goods that meet international standards, while expanding market access through participation in trade shows domestically and abroad.

Within the context of Smart Service Platform, the FTI has developed various platforms to enhance service provision for its members, such as increasing online trading channels via the FTI e-Business Platform, which successfully facilitated 500 B2B to B2B2C matches during 2024. Additionally, the FTI developed the FTI Academy platform, a hub for Upskill and Reskill programs from universities and partner agencies, as well as internal FTI institutions, providing a total of 83 courses. In 2024, 15,704 individuals registered to study in the FTI Academy. Furthermore, a system was developed to certify products as Made in Thailand (MiT) to enhance trust in MiT registered products, currently issuing MiT certificates for 57,622 SKUs and registering 5,577 businesses in the system.

Regarding Sustainability, Achievements under ESG, the FTI has elevated industrial factories with environmentally friendly certification standards such as Eco Factory and Water Footprint, with 516 Eco Factory certificates currently and 95 newly certified factories in 2024. For Water Footprint certification, a cumulative total of 400 sub-products from 77 companies exists, with 16 products receiving certification in 2024.

The annual general meeting this time presents an excellent opportunity for FTI members and the media to learn about FTI's operational results from the last year, leading to future cooperation in driving Thai industry onward. Another highlight of the meeting was the special lecture titled “Industry 5.0: Elevating Thai Industries to Overcome Global Economic Challenges” by Mr. Aeknath Prompan, Minister of Industry.

Mr. Aeknath Prompan, Minister of Industry, stated that amidst the various issues and obstacles plaguing the economic growth of the country, Thailand now has the opportunity to revitalize its economy for continuous growth by elevating Thai industries to Industry 5.0, leveraging advantages in biodiversity and cultural diversity alongside efficient infrastructure. These must be harnessed as strengths to enhance the competitiveness of the Thai industrial sector. The Ministry of Industry has established a clear industrial development policy to create opportunities and growth for the industrial sector using both head and heart to move towards "Reforming Industries to a Modern Economy: Clean, Convenient, Transparent," following the 3 reforms and 3 guidelines policy.

Reform 1: Manage toxic waste affecting the lives of citizens through comprehensive management of industrial waste systems to return clean water and pure air to the public, such as addressing PM 2.5 dust issues from sugarcane burning in the sugar and ethanol industries by promoting access to agricultural machinery, supporting the utilization of sugarcane leaves and tops for electricity generation, offering low-interest loans, and encouraging technology use to mitigate sugarcane burning. Additionally, reforming laws to promote sustainability, such as amending the Factory Act BE 2535 by increasing penalties for illegal disposal of industrial waste, wastewater, and air pollution, converting fines into prison sentences or both, extending the statute of limitations from 1 year to 5 years, and promoting a fully integrated waste management system to encourage industries to operate within industrial estates, and properly sorting and disposing of waste and industrial waste.

Reform 2: Create equitable competition for Thai SMEs by protecting and enhancing the competitiveness of Thai entrepreneurs, such as preventing the import of substandard goods through establishing equity in regulations and taxes between brick-and-mortar stores in Thailand and online entrepreneurs located in Thailand, especially for SMEs and foreign online entrepreneurs. An example of initiatives currently accelerated by the Ministry includes utilizing Big Data and AI technology to detect non-compliant goods in the country’s E-Commerce, ensuring equal enforcement of legal regulations regarding product standards, production processes, and general hazardous imports within free zones, as well as improving competitive capabilities through the “Made in Thailand” and “SME GP” measures to promote SMEs and startups' access to funding, technology, and knowledge.

Reform 3: Create environmentally friendly new economy industries focusing on national target industries such as electric vehicles, smart electronics, high-value agricultural processing, medical equipment, national defense, and essential base industries such as iron and steel. This involves enhancing high-value agriculture by restructuring the agricultural sector towards industrial agricultural development through various measures, including determining the type and quality of raw materials for production in factories, promoting modern agriculture, increasing agricultural productivity, providing modern machinery, managing farmer production costs, and fostering industrial agricultural entrepreneurs. Cutting-edge initiatives should also promote green industries, which will elevate the nation's green GDP value. Currently, 91% of industrial factories (in specific factory categories) are participating in green industrial initiatives, with a target for 100% participation this year, leading to half of industrial establishments entering level 3 green industries or systematically managed environmental practices by 2570, ultimately moving businesses towards level 5, forming a comprehensive green network throughout the supply chain.

The three guidelines under the Ministry of Industry's policy include: Guideline 1 - Create comprehensive partnerships in the industrial supply chain to drive industrial reform by adjusting measures and benefits to attract investment, promoting Thailand's industries to integrate into global core industry value chains. Guideline 2 - Enhance Ease of Doing Business, such as streamlining laws and transitioning public services to digital through online One Stop Service, including e-License, e-Monitoring, e-Payment, and e-Report systems, along with improving related regulations. Guideline 3 - Establish a fund for sustainable industrial reform aimed at supporting the development of personnel capabilities in both Hard Skills and Soft Skills, particularly targeting workforce in vocational sectors and high-potential personnel, such as technology developers with STEM skills, to prepare for adapting to work in conjunction with AI in the era of industrial reform.

The Ministry of Industry is committed to creating a new economy industrial sector that propels the Thai economy, links it to the global economy, and transitions Thai industries to Industry 5.0, quickly attracting foreign investors to generate income for the country and entrepreneurs while increasing domestic employment. The ministry has developed restructuring measures targeting industrial reform to support the new economic structure, facilitating practical implementation that will enhance the competitiveness of Thai industries in the global market for sustainable growth.

"Our country requires a significant reform to elevate the industrial sector amid the challenges in the era of Industry 5.0, marked by increasing technological complexity. This substantial task of the Ministry of Industry cannot be completed overnight and cannot be achieved alone; it requires holistic collaboration from all sectors. This unity is a crucial force that will help propel Thailand towards stability, prosperity, and sustainability. The Ministry of Industry is prepared to join hands with everyone to navigate crises and free ourselves from the middle-income trap, advancing together towards the creation of a new economy and sustainable development, serving as a key mechanism in linking the Thai economy to the global economy going forward. All of this encapsulates the ministry's policies and perspectives on progressing Thailand to overcome global economic challenges,” concluded Mr. Aeknath.

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Corporate Communications Department, Federation of Thai Industries, Tel. 02-345-1012