Page 18 - ELITE PLUS MAGAZINE VOL13

The government’s role is to ensure the fewest barriers to e-commerce, to protect privacy rights and electronic signatures. These tasks have to go in parallel with laws that are already in placeCan Thai e-commerce compete at a global level against giants like Alibaba or Ebay? What support does the ministry give this sector?There are a large number of Thais doing that but the majority are small players. To compete with the big players might be unrealistic. But to join hands with them is a better strategy. There are other sides of e-commerce we Thais can fill. We have so many good products and we should use existing channels to sell those products. Digital laws today will help enhance the growth of digital commerce in the future. The government’s role is to ensure the fewest barriers to e-commerce, to protect privacy rights and electronic signatures. These tasks have to go in parallel with laws that are already in place.You once said that science and diplomatic affairs can go together. How are the science and technology exchanges with other countries?We have a programme called Science Diplomacy. It’s our flagship programme where Thailand works with foreign partners in science and innovation. We’re aware of the limited resources we have and partnering with other16 Elite+