The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry has launched the Thailand Digital Catalog scheme as a mechanism to improve the quality of digital products and services developed by local startups and businesses so that they meet international standards.
The catalogue contains a pool of qualified digital offerings that can be selected by the government and private sector for procurement. The list is visible on the TECHHUNT platform.
Businesses that use digital products and services in the catalogue are eligible for a 200% tax deduction on their purchases.
The project was approved by the cabinet on Dec 13.
DES Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn said the Thailand Digital Catalog would be a key driver of digital economic development initiated by the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa), with the goal of enhancing efficient public-private partnerships and letting all Thais access a range of standardised digital products and services available at reasonable prices.
He said the catalogue comprises qualified digital products and services developed by local providers that can help promote transparency and fairness in the procurement market.
"We are confident the catalogue will play a key role in supporting Thailand's digital economy," said Mr Chaiwut.
The government procurement market offers an opportunity to elevate the competitiveness of the country through Thai digital startups, he said.
There are more than 300 certified digital products and services listed on the TECHHUNT platform, which is open to the public.
Some promotions and incentives provided by Depa are also included on the platform, said Mr Chaiwut.
Depa president and chief executive Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin said businesses or entrepreneurs who utilise digital products and services listed on the catalogue will receive benefits such as a tax deduction of up to 200% for purchasing software.
For example, a company purchasing software worth 100,000 baht will be entitled to a corporate tax deduction of 200,000 baht, which should stimulate the adoption of digital technologies and innovations to enhance business performance, he said.
Depa is responsible for listing and assessing qualified digital products and services on the platform such as software, software-as-a-service, digital content services, smart devices, hardware and firmware.
The agency yesterday also signed a memorandum of understanding with Siam Cement Group Plc (SCG), Thailand's largest cement maker and industrial conglomerate, on collaboration for digital product improvements with a labelling scheme called dSure, which can guarantee the functionality, safety and security of digital products for government procurement.
Mr Nuttapon said Depa and SCG will work together to ward off substandard digital products in order to protect consumers.
This collaboration will encourage Thai tech startups to develop standardised digital products and services, resulting in the expansion of the quality digital product market, he said.
