Bangkok (VNA) - The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) hasintroduced its digital blueprint for Thailand as a driver of digitaltransformation, to cope with rapid changes in technology, consumer behaviourand the business environment.

The blueprint was crafted to ensure the success of Thailand's 20-year digitaleconomy development roadmap, which started in 2016.

DEPA President and Chief Executive Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin said the wayforward for enterprises is to adopt digital technology by developing productswith new platforms.

Addressing a virtual conference on digital industry operators and the newnormal early this week, Nuttapon said those who only operate physical functionsmust gear towards non-physical features, while traditional businesses need togo for digitalisation.

Digital technology would facilitate all sectors and the country'scompetitiveness, he said.

According to the country's 20-year digital economy development roadmap, keydigital foundations were to be established by 2017 and digital inclusion musttake place by 2021. Full digital transformation is planned to take place by2026 and the country aims to be in the league of global digital leaders by2036.

The DEPA's digital blueprint is a five-year digital economy promotion masterplan, starting in 2020, that serves as a catalyst for the digital economy.

The blueprint is divided into four categories.

The first is to build manpower for the digital era, in which the DEPA targets500,000 digital workers and 30 million digital citizens.

The second concerns efforts to transform the economy towards digitaldevelopment, in which 25,000 digitalised enterprises are expected to becreated.

The third involves community empowerment for the digital future with the targetof 24,700 digitalised communities.

The final category concerns the creation of a digital innovation ecosystem viasmart cities, big data and cybersecurity development.

Abhisak Chulya, Vice Chairman for the Federation of Thai Industries' DigitalIndustry Club, said enterprises must be aware of digital disruption trends andnew regulations, including the Personal Data Protection Act.

According to Abhisak, companies need to cope with the impact of digitaltransformation globally. The government should provide assistance toenterprises so they can weather rapid changes in the digital realm and ensuretheir competitiveness.

Meanwhile, Natwut Amornvivat, President of the True Digital Group, saidcorporations must figure out how to protect their business from borderlesscompetition in the new economy, and need to learn how to take advantage oftechnology for their operations.

Tinnakorn Laoraovirot, President of the Association of Thai Software Industry,said the local software market is worth 130 billion baht with an annual growthrate of 10-20 percent. Software business has been affected by both intensecompetition and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The competition comes from global platforms that wield both technology andstrong business models, he said, adding enterprises must study consumerbehaviour as much as possible to increase their engagement./.