OIE advancing measures to restructure nine target industries

Office of Industrial Economics aims to increase GDP by at least 1%

Industry restructuring is a key engine for driving the country's economy, particularly in boosting the national GDP. For this reason, the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) is advancing measures to restructure nine target industries as part of the policy "Industrial Reform for a Modern, Clean, Convenient, and Transparent Economy", aiming to increase gross domestic product by at least 1%. 

The plan is expected to be presented to the Cabinet this month.



Phaskorn Chairat, director of OIE under the Ministry of Industry, says the nine target industries for restructuring and boosting GDP are:
Automotive industry
Plastics industry
Medical device industry
Steel and metallurgy industry
Robotics and automation industry
Electrical and electronics industry
Bio-based industry
Food industry
Textile and garment industry


Each industry sector has defined its development direction and target products for restructuring as follows:1. Automotive Industry: Focus on developing products where Thailand has the potential as a production base, such as passenger cars, 1-ton pickups, and new product groups, including hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs), as well as automotive parts.

2. Plastics Industry: Emphasise the production of plastics that contain a high proportion of recycled plastic, supporting the shift towards a low-carbon society.

3. Medical Device Industry: Aim to produce medical devices used for diseases with a high number of patients and high treatment costs, particularly for non-communicable chronic diseases, including:


Heart and cardiovascular diseases
Diabetes
Cancer
Hypertension
Chronic kidney disease


4. Steel and Metallurgy Industry: Enhance the competitiveness of the Thai steel industry, focusing on producing environmentally friendly steel, such as rebar, hot-rolled steel, steel pipes, wire rods, and prefabricated steel structures.

5. Robotics and Automation Industry: Promote the use of robots and automation systems in the industrial sector, as well as supporting businesses in designing, creating innovations, and developing human resources in robotics and automation.

6. Electrical and Electronics Industry: Focus on attracting investments in upstream industries and advanced technologies, upgrading the potential of existing electrical appliance industries to high-value, high-technology products, and promoting research and development.

7. Biotechnology Industry: Develop products in the fields of bioplastics, bio-based chemicals, and oleochemicals.

8. Food Industry: Prioritise the development of basic food products for food security and future food products that focus on generating income to elevate the country to a high-income status.

9. Textile and Apparel Industry: Focus on developing products across the value chain, such as technical fibre, technical textiles, and fashion brands. Additionally, efforts will be made to develop supporting business factors to ensure the efficient implementation of industrial restructuring, such as workforce development, research, technology, innovation, production processes, legal and regulatory improvements, and infrastructure development.

(2025/02/16-00:00)