ส.อ.ท. ชูโจทย์ใหญ่ SMEs ไทย “เครื่องมือมี แต่ต้องเชื่อมให้ถึง” ผนึก Ecosystem เร่งเพิ่มผลิตภาพ–แข่งขันได้FTI Highlights Major Challenge for Thai SMEs: “Tools Are Available, But Connections Must Be Made” to Enhance Ecosystem and Boost Productivity and Competitiveness

FTI, through the SMI Institute, pointed out that Thai SMEs possess knowledge, technology, funding sources, and supportive measures, but the challenge lies in connecting all mechanisms so that entrepreneurs can genuinely access them. FTI aims to create an Ecosystem with SMEs at the center, transforming ESG from a cost of adaptation into an opportunity to increase productivity and competitiveness.

On September 1, 2026, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), through the Small and Medium Enterprises Institute (SMI), in collaboration with SCG, organized a panel discussion titled “Transforming SMEs: Accelerating Productivity and Competitiveness for National Breakthrough” during the ESG Symposium 2026 at SCG Headquarters, Bang Sue, to exchange views and explore ways to link the Ecosystem to support SMEs in adapting, boosting productivity, and competing effectively in the long term.

[“SMEs must not walk alone” connecting all mechanisms to reach entrepreneurs]
Mr. Veerachai Munsinthorn, Vice Chairman of FTI and Chairman of the SMI Institute, delivered a keynote speech titled “Elevating SMEs to Drive National Competitiveness,” stating that ESG should not be viewed merely as a burden or a new requirement for entrepreneurs, but as an opportunity to improve production processes, reduce costs, enhance efficiency, and elevate competitiveness.

At the same time, Thailand already has tools to support SMEs, including knowledge, technology, funding sources, government measures, and market opportunities. The critical challenge is to connect these mechanisms into a cohesive Ecosystem with SMEs at the center, allowing entrepreneurs to truly access and utilize them according to their business development stages.

[From policy to real issues for SMEs]
The event featured a discussion titled “Upgrading the Ecosystem to Drive the Transition of Thai SMEs,” where representatives from the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion exchanged policies and support measures. Meanwhile, SME D Bank presented approaches to prepare for financial readiness and access to funding sources, alongside entrepreneurs from Chara Ming Co., Ltd., and Palang Pak Co., Ltd., sharing real experiences to reflect opportunities, challenges, and limitations that SMEs face in adapting and developing their businesses.

This exchange reflected that elevating SMEs cannot be driven by measures from any single sector alone; there must be connections between the government, financial institutions, industry, and entrepreneurs to work collaboratively, from access to knowledge and technology to funding, trial implementation, and business expansion.

[CONNECT – SCALE – MEASURE: Mechanism to Turn “Collaboration” into Results]
At the end, participants engaged in a group discussion to gather insights on three key issues: CONNECT - linking the Ecosystem to grant entrepreneurs access to resources and opportunities, SCALE - testing and expanding successful approaches, and MEASURE - establishing indicators to evaluate results concretely.

FTI, through the SMI Institute, will continue to act as a connecting mechanism for the Ecosystem between the government, financial sector, private sector, and SMEs, ensuring that support extends beyond “policy” to actual implementation at the entrepreneur level, while promoting Thai SMEs to enhance productivity, access new opportunities, and elevate competitiveness, which will be crucial in strengthening the industrial sector and the Thai economy.