NSTDA, in collaboration with the Office of Permanent Secretary for Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and 40 local and international partners, kicked off an event of the year APEC BCG Economy Thailand 2022: Tech to Biz on 10 October 2022 at Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao in Bangkok.

Prof. Sirirurg Songsivilai, Permanent Secretary for Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, gave opening remarks and delivered a special talk on “The Role of Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation in Driving Thailand BCG Economy Agenda”. He emphasized that the forum intends to introduce the Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG) model and link it with policies, technology and innovation, as well as investment and commerce among APEC members, that will lead APEC economies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in practice.

NSTDA President Prof. Dr. Sukit Limpijumnong described this event as a platform for facilitating and supporting trade, investment, and academic cooperation to serve Thailand’s BCG national agenda by bringing together all sectors – ranging from business and industry to research institute and policymaker – to drive work plans into concrete deliverables and outcomes; and showcase academic achievements and create opportunities for academic and business collaboration with a particular focus on a sustainable development based on the BCG approach. The event is organized in conjunction with ‘Thailand Tech Show’, filled with seminars on policy and technology from APEC members and partners, business pitching and matching, BCG technology exhibition, and a site visit to BCG-related projects.

Highlights of the event include keynote lectures, special talks and seminars featuring speakers from APEC economies sharing their countries’ perspectives and practices in the areas of energy, environment, food, agriculture, tourism, creative economy and community development; “10 Technologies to Watch” presentation and investment pitching. The “10 Technologies to Watch” talk unveils technology trends and future disruptions that businesses should pay close attention to and prepare for in the next 5-10 years, whereas the investment pitching features 9 outstanding innovations from Thailand and Vietnam looking for investors and industrial collaborators. Audience will get to vote for the most interesting technology for investment and the best presentation, results of which will be announced on 11 October.

The exhibition features APEC Economy Pavilion presenting highlights of APEC member economies, IP Marketplace where investors and entrepreneurs can take a close look at 200 innovations from 35 organizations ready for market; BCG Model Showcase displaying Ratchaburi Model, EECi and Circular Solar Module; and research and product highlights.

The site visit on 12 October will take participants to experience Thailand’s BCG initiatives including the Ratchaburi Model where agriculture, food and tourism are integrated to support the local economy, the Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi) as Thailand’s new innovation hub driving the BCG agenda, and Solar Circular Module where decommissioned solar modules from solar farms are used to power solar pumps, water circulation, and charging stations.

For more information, please visit: www.nstda.or.th/apecbcg-tts2022.