UOB Thailand is collaborating with the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) to offer 1,000 small- and medium-sized companies (SMEs) free digital solution trials to help them advance in their business transformation.
According to an OSMEP survey of 2,700 SMEs across 21 business sectors in Thailand, SMEs generally seek to use technology to improve their business processes, with 84.8 per cent planning to do so in the immediate future. However, 61.4 per cent of Thai SMEs still lack online selling channels, with 64.1 per cent not able to perform online order fulfillment and 20.7 per cent looking to implement an online transaction system.
Under the collaboration, UOB Thailand and OSMEP will be holding an online unboxing tech session for SMEs on 31 August 2021 as part of the Bank's Smart Business Transformation Programme (SBTP), an initiative by The FinLab and UOB Thailand. During the event, SMEs will be able to identify the digital solutions that can help them optimise their company processes, enhance their brand and grow their customer base. They will be able to sign up for free trials of digital solutions including Microsoft's Smart Point of Sale (POS), Zaviago, a website platform service, and Kollective, an integrated influencer marketing optimiser for up to four months.
Ms Sirinun Jiradilok, Head of Digital Engagement and FinTech Innovation, UOB Thailand, said, "Digital transformation has proven to be crucial for SMEs in difficult times. Our SBTP has shown that SMEs that proactively utilised digital tools have not only managed to stay afloat but also gained access to a plethora of new opportunities. By collaborating with OSMEP and digital solutions providers such as Microsoft, Zaviago, and Kollective, we want to help Thai SMEs quickly adopt digital solutions so that they can revamp their traditional business models and advance their digital transformation journey."
Mr. Veerapong Malai, Director-General of OSMEP, said, "SMEs account for 34.2 per cent of Thailand's Gross Domestic Product and they are critical to Thailand's economic future. Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic is compelling SMEs to adapt and to digitalise their businesses and there is strong SME demand for targeted, actionable and easily deployed digital solutions. At OSMEP, we develop policies that assist small businesses in leveraging technology to expand their operations, to increase productivity by collaborating closely with like-minded partners. We are excited about this collaboration with UOB Thailand to spur SMEs' growth in Thailand."
Mr. Pakdee Aunyakamol, Deputy Managing Director, Small Medium and Corporate, Microsoft (Thailand) Limited, said, "We have extensive experience working with SMEs. Our work has helped many organisations use technology to solve obstacles in the present crisis. We would like to extend our gratitude to UOB Thailand and OSMEP for the opportunity to participate in this collaboration. SMEs have numerous challenges, which we have addressed with our colleagues at Microsoft, resulting in solutions such as Microsoft Smart POS, a cloud-based point of sale programme.
"Smart POS is significantly more affordable than traditional point-of-sale systems, starting at just 150 baht per month, while still meeting business needs - from sales reporting in Excel format and complete transaction details to e-commerce website development and marketing tools for micro-influencers. This is just one of the numerous solutions Microsoft and our partners have to offer. We hope that as we move forward together, our technology will support businesses in establishing and maintaining sustainable momentum."
SMEs interested in participating in the online unboxing tech session can register at https://bit.ly/2VmJYqj by 30 August 30 2021. They can also find out more about UOB Thailand's SBTP at www.thefinlab.com/Thailand to learn more about how to transform their business digitally.