KUALA LUMPUR – Asean should build a new economic ecosystem by promoting the development of digital infrastructure that is accessible to both small businesses and individuals, so as to reinforce the bloc’s recovery efforts and promote sustainable and inclusive growth.
The Thai embassy in Malaysia said this will help ensure these groups are part of the region’s growing digital economy, which is estimated to contribute more than US$240 billion (RM968.7 billion) in the next five years.
“On our part, Thailand is developing the Asean Digital Hub, which will help enhance digital infrastructure in Asean, as well as Digital Park Thailand, as part of our Eastern Economic Corridor.
“The private sector will play an important role in the development of infrastructure, technology and innovation businesses through PPP (public-private partnership) investment,” it said in an email interview with Bernama in conjunction with the inaugural Asean Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN1), to be chaired by Malaysia on Thursday and Friday.
Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah will chair the meet via teleconference.
The embassy said apart from building physical infrastructure, it is equally important to promote digital integration, to inclusively enhance business opportunities in the region.
It said in 2019, Asean completed the live operations of the Asean Single Window (ASW) for all member states, marking a key milestone.
ASW is an environment that provides a secure information technology architecture and legal framework that allows trade, transport and commercial data to be exchanged electronically among government and private sector agencies.
“But, Asean needs to look beyond ASW and work towards full digitalisation to become a Digital Asean. This involves the promotion of digital payment connectivity and comprehensive digital trade,” said the embassy.
It said the Thai government has developed the National Digital Economy Master Plan covering a period of 20 years, and over the past few years, passed various laws and regulations to support the implementation of the country’s digital economy policy.
It is estimated that 17% of Thailand’s gross domestic product in 2018 was derived from the digital economy, said the embassy, adding that the contribution is forecast to increase to 25% in 2027.
Thailand’s market value of its digital economy is considered the second-largest in Asean, it added.
The embassy said Thailand and other Asean states recognise the importance of technology and the increasing pace of digital transformation, especially the accelerated adoption to cope with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The issue of digital disparity has always been one of the key elements in the Asean ICT Master Plan. Asean is committed to addressing the manifold digital gaps in skills, infrastructure and regulations, both within and across member states, as well as the risks and challenges that digitalisation entails.”
It said ADGMIN1 will provide a good opportunity for Asean nations to discuss and share their responses to emerging challenges in this area, which have been spurred by the pandemic.
“We would like to emphasise the important role of digital technology in achieving an inclusive, resilient and sustainable economic growth in the region. Thailand is looking forward to the adoption of the Asean Digital Master Plan 2025, which will serve as the roadmap for Asean towards achieving that vision.”
The master plan is expected to be adopted at ADGMIN1. – Bernama, January 17, 2021
