Industry Minister Utama Savanayon opened the first of seven planned Industry Transformation Centers to spur creation of a Chonburi “super cluster” that can restructure and upgrade the country’s industrial capabilities.
Gov. Pakarathorn Thienchai welcomed the minister to the Aug. 9 opening in Samet district. The ITC is the first of seven such facilities scheduled to open around the country by year-end.
Korbchai Sangsittisawad, director-general of the ministry’s Industrial Promotion Department, said the ITCs are part of the government’s Technology and Innovation Development Plan that emphasizes a cluster strategy to link industries and upgrade the capabilities of small- and medium-sized food companies.
The Chonburi ITC will first target food companies and move on to those in the pharmaceutical, medical supply and cosmetics industries.
Utama said the ITC was the result of cooperation with the private sector to drive innovation in industry to help SMEs adjust to the new digital economy.
The center also provides training and co-working space for smaller companies to save them the expense of opening their own branch offices.
