Chaiwut Thanakmanusorn, Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES) announced that the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to strengthen the area of information, communication, and digital technology.
The MoC in the field of Information, Communication and Digital Technology aims to promote cooperation on the principle of equality reciprocity mutual respect and mutual benefits between both parties.
In addition, the MoC will support the use of information and communication technology and related information in the field of weather inspection and disaster risk reduction. It also covers the issues of cooperation in postal affairs, the use of 5G; secure and promoting investment in Thailand of Japanese ICT companies, among others.
Likewise, knowledge sharing, innovation, services, and applications of personnel development in the field of information technology communication and digital including cooperation under the ASEAN-Japan Centre to develop cybersecurity personnel.
On the other hand, the MOC in Technology and Digital Innovation for Transformation aims to promote cooperation and exchange of experiences to maintain and develop an ecosystem for transformational innovation between the two nations.
The MoC framework is promoting cooperation among relevant stakeholders such as universities, private companies, and communities, and jointly implements related projects or activities to intensify their partnerships as well as exchange practices and knowledge.
Both nations confirmed to carry out activities under the two MoCs and will conduct additional discussions on relevant plans and programmes.
Newin Chochaitip, DES Assistant Minister congratulated the Romanian government to host the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2022 to be held on 26 September to 14 October 2022. There will be a delegation from Thailand and on the part of the ministry’s representative Dr Nattapon Natthasomboon, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Digital Affairs will attend the event.
The two nations agreed that they will jointly develop digital cooperation on various issues in the field of digital transformation, digital services, digital identity, information/data exchange, cybersecurity, and personal data protection.
Furthermore, Thailand has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Telecommunications, Information and Communication Technology Cooperation and Digital Technology with Finland. This aims to add new ways to promote cooperation and expand the development of smart cities.
The MoU expands the cooperation of the two nations in ICT and digital technology, continuing partnerships from the previous three years (2018-2021). The scope of cooperation will cover nine areas:
- Policies and regulations on telecommunication and communication practices, ICT, and digital technology;
- Development and promotion of ICs and digital industries such as hardware, software, digital content, and technology for services;
- Development of broadband infrastructure services;
- Cooperation in digital innovation such as Big Data, the Internet of Things and AI;
- Digital ecosystem including Smart Cities;
- Digital opportunities such as Digital Literacy, Digital Inclusion and Digital Technology;
- Promotion of Digital Startups, entrepreneurs, and SMEs;
- Knowledge and experience exchange including personnel development and various cooperation; and
- Other cooperation that is of mutual interest between the two parties.
Both nations also had bilateral discussions on key issues such as guidelines for promoting cooperation, smart city collaboration and a visit to the Republic of Finland of the executive committee of the Ministry of Digital and the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), which is part of the Digital CEO Programme for Drafting Leaders.