Bangkok--16 Nov--USCRI
U.S. Committee for Refugees & Immigrants (USCRI — Thailand) in cooperation with the Business University Forum of Thailand and Central Pattana Public Company Limited held the press conference to announce ‘The Business Plan Writing Competition for Economic and Social Development of the Thai Communities along Thai-Burma Border’ under the concept that supports the sustainable development for the communities on the sufficiency economy basis. This business plan competition also provides the opportunity for graduates and undergraduates to showcase their potential and commercially creative business ideas. It is also anticipated that the competition and winning plan will serve to stimulate interest among others in hopes of fostering a better understanding of border issues in Thailand.
Mr. Veerawit Tianchainan, Country Director at USCRI — Thailand, said “The project is based on the concept of the Royal Thai Government’s policy on developing the economy along the Thai borders. The communities along Thai — Burma border are quite complex areas due to the social problem, security and the complication of the races. This project aims to support the government’s policy to develop the economy and the society of the Thai communities along Thai — Burma border, additional, it also gives the opportunity to the interested candidates to show capability to present the business idea that can be used to serve the society and underprivileged people.
Mr. Pairat Lumyong, Inspector General of Ministry of Interior, as the chairman of the press conference mentioned that Thailand and Burma shared the thousands kilometers of border. Those areas need to be developed in term of economy and society. However, the mission seems to be very difficult even though the Royal Thai Government puts a lot of effort on it.
“Personally, I am quite pleased to see the cooperation among the government, academic and business sectors in order to help the Thai communities along Thai — Burma border via this business plan writing competition. Hopefully, the business plans from this competition can be adjusted and implemented in the real situation later” added Mr. Pairat.
“Both Thai and U.S. governments concern about the situation along the Thai — Burma border” said Mr. Adam Zerbinopoulos, Deputy Refugee Coordinator for Southeast Asia, the representative of U.S. Embassy to the Kingdom of Thailand.
According to Mr. Zerbinopoulos, the communities along the border have been affected by the incidents that happen in Burma. Recently, UNHCR along with numbers of NGOs presented the new strategy to the Royal Thai Government. The main concept of the plan is to transition from aid to development. Services provided for people in the camps should be integrated with those available to local Thai communities outside them therefore the support that comes from outside will flow both to the displaced persons and to the communities that host them. To implement this plan, it requires the cooperation and flexibility from every party. This competition puts USCRI-Thailand at the forefront of the movement toward reform and a more sustainable future.
Dr. Pornchai Mongkhonvanit, President of Siam University and the representative from the Business University Forum of Thailand, said that Siam University and the BUF have always supported the student’s activities and this project is also another valuable project as it will give the opportunity to the graduates and undergraduates to use their academic knowledge applies with the factors in the real situation in order to get the best business plan outcome. Siam University and BUF would like to thank USCRI — Thailand for initiating this project as it will not only raise the potential of the candidates, but also encouraging the students to use the spare time worthily.
“Central Pattana Public Company Limited, CPN, has adopted the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) therefore we always promoted the activities that have the social benefits such as the activities that support academy, culture, religion and monarchy. ” said Dr. Nattakit Tangpoonthana — Executive Vice President, Marketing at Central Pattana Public Company Limited.
Dr. Nattakit continued that CPN, on behalf of the business sector in this project, is honoured to be the official supporter of such a meaningful project as this project does not only encourage the student academically wise, but also persuade them to think about social marketing to develop the sustainable economy in the Thai communities along Thai — Burma Border.
Ms. Diana (Suphannee) Chungjintanakarn, First Thai Refugee Ambassador, said “Personally, I think this project is a big step forward for the academic and business sectors to be involved with the problems that happen along the Thai — Burma border. I have been there myself and experienced that people who live there still need a lot of assistance to help them to be on their own, economically wise. Thai government has provided the support, however, the needs are much more than the government can cover. I would like to ask for the cooperation from the public to support these under privileged people and participating in this business plan writing competition is also one way to help this people.
Interested candidates can download the application form at http://bplan-uscri.siam.edu and submit to
[email protected] or to USCRI — Thailand P.O. Box 1384 Nana, BKK 10112 by December 31, 2009. The Announce final round winners will be in March. The prizes for the winners are 50,000 THB, 30,000 THB and 20,000 THB in order. Every team who passes to the final round will receive the certificate. For more information please contact USCRI — Thailand, Tel: 086 810 0537 or
[email protected].
For more information, please contact
Khun Yathanee CHENGBUMPENTHAN (Bowling)
Program Officer (External Relations)
USCRI — Thailand
Tel: 089-777-1657
Email:
[email protected]