Thailand launches Strategic Talent Centre to boost technology, science sectors
By Digital News Asia July 10, 2017
- This move is a significant driver of the country's "Thailand 4.0" policy
- Project will enable companies operating in Thailand to easily access a pool of specialists and experts
THAILAND is supporting investors by setting up the Strategic Talent Centre (STC) to enable the private sector to have easier access to the available pool of manpower in the field of science and technology and to facilitate the entry and sojourn of foreign science and technology experts in demand.
This move aims to encourage manpower as an important capital for business and a significant driver of the country's "Thailand 4.0" policy.
The STC was established by the collaboration between the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) and five government agencies namely, the Ministry of Science and Technology, National Research Council of Thailand, National Science and Technology Development Agency and National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office.
Officially launched on July 3, 2017, the centre will serve as a platform interacting with the private sector in identifying available specialists or researchers in science and technology to support the private sector in conducting R&D and innovation activities.
The centre will help identify Thai and foreign nationals with specialised skills across the technology and innovation arena, academia and government scholars, and researchers as well as those under the Talent Mobility Project of National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office.
The STC will be actively involved with matching their skills and expertise with real demands from the requesting companies.
Thailand Board of Investment secretary general Hirunya Suchinai said, "Through the establishment of the STC, we are enhancing the country's ecosystem for stronger research and development capabilities, which will in turn increase our competitiveness and support the development of target industries under the Thailand 4.0 policy.
"We believe that there are many experts and specialists in Thailand but we never had a comprehensive database or information about them. The STC will take up this role and pull together extensive lists of these experts. This will not only match demand on manpower and supply of expertise, but will also promote links between the research sector and the private sector," said Hirunya.
In addition to matching services, the STC will provide expertise recognition services for those in the science and technology fields.
The centre will coordinate with relevant government agencies in recognising their expertise. The recognised experts will be facilitated regarding their visa and work permits and will have access to the e-expert system run by the One-Stop Centre for visas and work permits.
This flagship project will enable companies operating in Thailand to have greater access to a pool of specialists and experts in the areas of research and development.
"As we realise that human resources will play a vital role in moving Thailand forward, we at the BOI are looking at the comprehensive array of factors supporting investments in Thailand, not just tax incentives.
“STC is one step that we are taking to provide investors with better and more comprehensive services. The improved mobilisation of science and technology manpower will certainly contribute to the implementation of the Thailand 4.0 policy. We are glad that our STC will play a significant role in this jigsaw puzzle and help investors optimise their opportunities here," said Hirunya.
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