In this volume we are going to hear from an expert of Digital Economy and ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) pinpointing what can be opportunities and implications on this transition phenomenon. The Interview with Mr. Dominic P Arena, Managing Director of AEC Advisory (Thailand) Co., Ltd., an expert of Digital Economy and AEC.
Q: How does Digital Economy become mechanism for Thailand?
Dominic: “ Digital Economy is the modern economy as it is naturally evolving and therefore does not represent an optional path for Thailand, or any economy for that matter, to remain regionally and globally competitive. As a policy platform, the Digital Economy describes all the infrastructure, services & enablers that the nation requires to develop socioeconomically, technologically, legislatively and competitively”.
Q: As Thai government has paved way for Digital Economy, what si your opinion towards the way Government has automated Thailand to be in the developing stage of Digital Economy?
Dominic: “ Based on announcements to date, Thailand’s Digital Economy policy framework broadly aligns with global best practice in key areas and is a major step in the right direction. Possibly only one area to reconsider is the move of the National Statistics Office (NSO) out of the Digital Economy Ministry, since the NSO has both a large role and transformational implications arising from the Digital Economy – e.g. new data sources, near real time Big Data, timely inputs to policy development and economic management logically, legislatively and competitively ”.
Q: What are implications and outlook for Thailand’s virtual development during and after Digital Economy Transition process? Dominic: “ In broader view, the transition will lay benefits to Thailand mainly in 4 spheres:
1. Economic – e.g. GDP growth and National Income (NI)
2. Socio Economic – e.g. labor productivity for SMEs and job market expansion and Per Capita Income
3. Business Scalability and Expansion – e.g. leveraging performance for enterprises with the help of IT infrastructure including Cloud services, National Broadband, Data Center, and Connectivity
4. Social Welfare – e.g. the more coverage of Broadband will lead to more educational reach and living quality for population ”
About AEC Advisory
AEC Advisory is a regional corporate advisory firm focused on helping our clients to make better informed strategic decisions, engage effectively with stakeholders, and enhance operational execution.
