Article by: MEGA Tech Magazine
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) established the Thai-Japanese Industrial Cooperation Institute, TJIC, to support the strategic partnership and reinforce collaboration in trade, investment, technology, innovation and personnel development. The establishment of the TJIC was announced in a recent press conference in mid-September. Japan’s significant investment in Thailand for over the past 50 years has contributed to Thailand’s industrial growth and advanced technology transfer, and in response to this the FTI recently founded the “Thai-Japanese Industrial Cooperation Institute” and appointed Chirapan Oulapathorn as the Inaugurate Chairman.
MEGA Tech Magazine is honored to interview Mr. Chirapan regarding his view on applying his invaluable experience from working closely with Japanese’s top management and entrepreneurs for over 4 decades. It is through this deep understanding which has led him to being appointed as the collaborator to connect the industrial sectors and reinforce mutual economic development, to promote Thailand’s industrial sectors and also the business networks of both countries.
Over 40 years of experience with Japanese businesses
Real insights into Japanese people. These Mr. Chirapan has garnered from his internship in Japan when he was young and subsequently throughout his career he working with Japan’s leading companies through operating and investing in Thailand, as President of both Sumipol Group Limited and Sumipol Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTec), as well as also being involved from the establishment of the Thai-Nichi Institute of Technology (TNI) from its creation until now as Board of Council.
Such experience has given him the insight into the Japanese mindset, lifestyle, culture, needs, working principle and practices, which is invaluable for accomplishing his mission as Chairman of the Thai-Japanese Industrial Cooperation Institute.
Direction for the national mission
Goals and strategies. As the first Chairman of the TJIC and Director, of Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federation of Thai Industries, Mr. Chirapan said that Japanese investors are well recognized as one of the largest investors in Thailand, and Japan is ranked number one for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for almost 10 years consecutively (2008-2017) worth a hundred thousand million baht per year.
Japanese industries currently operate across a wide range of manufacturing sectors. As such, a key role of the TJIC Chairman will be to promote trade and investment collaboration, exchange economic data with Japan’s public sector and private companies, and address aspects to increase the economic development between the two countries.
In addition, the role includes driving TJIC operations to develop and strengthen close cooperation with Japanese organizations, building business networks for discussions between public and private sectors of both countries. This effort is one of the mechanisms to achieve Thailand 4.0 and developing the S-Curve and New S-Curve industries to increase the competitiveness of Thailand.
One of TJIC’s missions is to encourage investment from Japan, especially in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Mr. Chirapan’s opinion on this issue is that EEC is mega project of great importance, with a considerable investment by the government to develop infrastructure and promote investment for the new industrial area. As a result, EEC is a key part of the strategy to draw more investment from Japanese companies.
Organizational Integration Strategies
Mr. Chirapan continued that during the past several years, the relationship between the FTI, Japan, investors has developed in various ways. Regarding the private sector, there were discussions with Japan’s leading business institutes, including Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) and Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren), to seek cooperation between the private sectors of both countries. Moreover, FTI has cooperated with the Japanese Chamber of Commerce (JCC) to present opinions and concerns of businesspeople to organizations.
TJIC aims to coordinate and achieve more comprehensive development by inviting Japanese firms to join membership of FTI, which covers 45 industrial groups, to drive, exchange, and express opinions to reflect the needs of businesses. To achieve this development the FTI established the FTI Academy to train industry staff to work efficiently and focus on new technology, e.g. IoT systems and Smart Manufacturing, in accordance with the Industry 4.0 era.
As Japan as an expert of modern agricultural technology development, which contributes to adding value to agricultural products, key to the foundation of Thailand. Cooperation between the FTI and Japanese firms will support technological development and modern management approaches which can be applied to Thailand’s agricultural industry.
News and data sources about Japan
The limitation of clear and correct news and data sources about Japan is one of the issues that TJIC will focus on for the benefit of Thailand.
Mr. Chirapan said “In working closely with Japan for a long time I meet with Japanese top executives regularly and learn their thoughts and attitudes towards investment in Thailand. I intend to present such data and facts to rectify some information which is not accurate, that might lead to lost investment opportunities. It is essential to present more accurate information to build confidence in Thailand.”
Currently, Mr. Chirapan is working full-time for Sumipol Group Limited, which he established over 30 years ago, as well as its subsidiaries and Sumipol Institute of Manufacturing Technology. He is also a Board Member of the Thai-Nichi Institute of Technology. Such roles require significant time to achieve their goals. Mr. Chirapan concluded “I have handed over main parts of business to the second generation, and I believe they can successfully continue to work towards the planned direction. I have tried to spend less time on my full-time commercial roles and focus more on social work to contribute to society and help drive the industrial development of Thailand.”