Interior joins hands with Commerce to discuss integration of cooperation to promote Thai OTOP entrepreneurs to the international market. Prepare to set up a working group to jointly drive the Quick Win approach to stimulate new market channels along with market expansion. Mr. Suthipong Chulcharoen, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior along with Mr. Keerati Ratchano, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Co-chaired a meeting to discuss integration of cooperation between the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Commerce in promoting Thai OTOP entrepreneurs to the international market, with heads of government agencies under the Department of Community Development. and relevant officials attended the meeting Mr. Suthipong Chuncharoen said that the important issue of this discussion is to make OTOP products further promoted in marketing, such as classifying and separating entrepreneurs into groups to have quality and modernity. Respond to consumer needs This will allow products to be sold . Because currently there are products and services in each village/community area, such as the OTOP Nawatwithi community, which currently has a large number in many areas but does not have adequate marketing channels. which we have learned from the guidance of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya His Majesty bestowed knowledge on further development until the products were sold throughout the year. Throughout the past, the Ministry of Interior has always used the mechanism of provincial governors in conjunction with the Ministry of Commerce. But there is still a large volume (Volume) that needs to be supported and developed to receive more expansion. 'We ask that the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Commerce work together to find a Quick Win approach from short-term and long-term processes to ensure continuity and sustainability. We have already separated groups of entrepreneurs and OTOP artists at different levels. Therefore, the first thing that must be done is to bring quality products to foreign countries (international markets) to produce concrete results. in order to lead to success according to the initial goals And in terms of long-term operations, it is to enable entrepreneurs to have a customer base both domestically and abroad. The model is ready to expand into new markets. The strength of Thai OTOP products is our strength in sophistication and beauty. The product is "Handmade" which makes it limited and hard to find. But the weak point is that there is still a small market abroad. This discussion will lead to jointly finding ways to help each other for further development. In the next step, a working group will be appointed between the two ministries to determine both short-term and long-term cooperation guidelines. Ready to set up a system to lead groups of entrepreneurs who are interested in OTOP products to develop their potential, coaching both in packaging and marketing channels. As well as discussing with entrepreneurs to expand Thai fabrics to the international market. To support and stimulate the economy of Thailand, leading to Thai people having a good quality of life, income and sustainable happiness,' Mr. Suthipong said at the end Mr. Keerati Ratchano, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, said that the Ministry of Commerce is pleased and fully intends to cooperate with the Ministry of Interior in promoting and expanding Thai products to foreign countries. Today, executives of agencies involved in both domestic and international trade of the Ministry of Commerce came to the meeting to discuss with the Ministry of Interior. To integrate cooperation in promoting OTOP entrepreneurs to the international market, throughout the past the Ministry of Commerce through the Department of Business Development has brought OTOP products to further develop. By collaborating with network agencies and partners to find marketing channels. It also cooperates with the Community Development Department. Ministry of Interior Bring develope d products to sell Including emphasizing production according to the BCG economic concept, bringing local products to develop further as well. 'For the Department of Internal Trade Ministry of Commerce Has carried out the project 'Village for trading' since 2017 by developing products and services in the area By increasing skills and increasing product value Especially in the development of packaging in 42 villages in 33 provinces. There is also support for both offline sales channels in cooperation with hotels, businesses, department stores. and online channels There are channels through which influencers can help with sales. As for the Department of International Trade Promotion, we have implemented a project to develop and promote OTOP products to the international market by selecting OTOP product entrepreneurs to train, incubate, and coach in order to attend trade fairs both domestically and abroad. country which has been carried out over many years There are more than 30 participants in the project. In addition, the BCG Hero project is also running to select producers according to sustainable guidelines. Using local ingredients This will be in line with the OTOP guidelines of the Ministry of Interior. Including a project to develop designers to international runways. By promoting entrepreneurs who already have strong brands to enter the international market. All of the above shows that the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Interior already have related missions in line. which we will work together with clear goals To be able to achieve concrete goals which is part of the development of packaging Forwarding entrepreneurs from abroad We are pleased and eager to help support people to have a good, sustainable quality of life,' Mr. Keerati added. Source: Thai News Agency