Of all the 2.7 million SMEs currently in Thailand, about 25,000 are exporters. With new trade and investment opportunities opening up with the advent of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by end-2015, augmented by rapidly burgeoning cross-border trade following an increase in purchasing power of Thailand's neighboring countries, new SME exporters are emerging. The global megatrends like aging society, online commerce, nature and environmental awareness, and healthy lifestyle are also seen as new gateways for SMEs to export their products to meet the demand of different consumer markets. Furthermore, the new generation SMEs are beginning to appreciate the importance of research and development which will lead to innovative product development and help increase their competitive advantage as well as differentiate their products amid the intense competition in the world market.
"The close cooperation between EXIM Thailand and other government agencies throughout the exporters incubation process, from upstream to downstream, has resulted in an emergence of new exporters who are ready to obtain purchase orders, build up production capability, and eventually export their products. In closing exporters' financial gap, our goal is to help Thai SME Exporters to become stronger while facilitating their research and development efforts in the hope of adding more value to international trade and business of Thailand," said Mr. Suthanai.