1. SME Eco-Innovation Cases in Thailand under Innovation and Technology Assistance Program (ITAP)
Songphon Munkongsujarit, Ph.D.
Senior Consultant National Science and Technology Development Agency, Thailand
Presentation for 2018 ASEIC Global Innovation Forum
4 September 2018

2. National Science and Technology Development Agency - NSTDA
14° 4‘ 36“ N 100° 36‘ 6“ E
Established under the Ministry of Science and Technology by the special NSTDA Act in 1991.
Autonomous entity reported to the Governing Board chaired by Minister of Science and Technology.
Location: Thailand Science Park, 30 km. north of Bangkok.
Vision: “To Be a Key Partner for a Knowledge-based Society through Science and Technology.”
Missions: Research and Development, Technology Transfer, Human Resources Development, Infrastructure Development.

3. NSTDA Organization Structure
NSTDA is home of four national research centers and one technology management center:
BIOTEC (The National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology)
MTEC (The National Metal and Materials Technology Center)
NECTEC (The National Electronics and Computer Technology Center)
NANOTEC (The National Nanotechnology Center)
TMC (Technology Management Center)

4. Innovation and Technology Assistance Program (ITAP)
Objective: To stimulate economic growth of Thailand through the use of technology.
Provide technical advisory services and financial assistances to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Thailand via the intermediary agent called ITA (Industrial Technology Advisor).
This is a prototypical innovation intermediary for technology transfer mechanism.

5. Innovation Intermediary
Definition: An organization or body that acts as agent or broker in any aspect of the innovation process between two or more parties*.
problem
problem
Innovation Intermediary
Solution Seeker
Problem Solver
(SMEs)
(Experts)
solution
(ITAP)
solution
Technology Transfer Process
* J. Howells, “Intermediation and the role of intermediaries in innovation,” Research Policy, vol. 35, no. 5, pp , Jun

6. Where do we want Thai SMEs to go?
Advanced Level
Innovation creation
(innovative products and services)
Intermediate Level
Technology upgrade
(new designs)
Basic Level
Day-to-day problem solving
(cost reduction, productivity improvement)
Innovation
R&D
Intensive
Technology Intensive
Skill
Intensive
Labor Intensive

7. ITAP Supports SMEs How ITAP helps Thai SMEs to innovate?
Act as R&D managers to provide technical consultancy services, identify appropriate experts and manage the projects.
Prepare Project Proposal for SMEs according to their needs.
Perform Project Monitoring and Project Evaluation.
Connect with other government agencies and institutions for other services.
Provide Financial Assistance of project cost (partial)
ITAP Supports SMEs
To upgrade technology and innovation 1 4 2 3 5
Capacity : 2018
20 ITAP networks across Thailand
100 Industrial Technology Advisors
1,300 technical experts in networks
1,000 projects per year

8. Case 1: Bubpha Kluay Tak Community Enterprise
Dried banana production (family-based) industry in Bangkathum District, Phitsanulok Province in the North of Thailand.
Upgrade the production with greenhouse solar drier and provide consultancy service for food safety standards, packing and branding.
Original Dried Banana Package
Solar Dried Banana Package
Banana Syrup

9. Case 2: Diary Home Farm Shop
Local farm and diary product producer in Nakorn Ratchasima Province, Northeastern Thailand.
ITAP connected the farm with experts for new product development as well as incorporating Thai Carbon Footprint label on various diary products.

10. Case 3: Moral Engineering Ltd., Part.
Second generation family-own metal fabrication factory with 50 years of business history.
ITAP helped the business transforming the waste from the metal factory to eco-innovation product with the “upcycle” value-creation design process.

11. Follow us on Facebook @ITAPThailand and @NSTDAThailand
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