The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) and the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) are joining forces to inject 80% of the carbon assessment costs to help SMEs cope with green trade barriers.

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VB launches 'VB SAVE+' campaign to combat new global trade rules after the Certified Carbon Fiscal Policy (CFP) became a key gateway to the international stage. They inject funds through the 'SME Success, Get Refund' project, subsidizing up to 80% of carbon assessment costs. This is seen as the only way to survive in the new economy; without transparent carbon data, SMEs risk being excluded from the trade cycle.

May 11, 2569 – The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP), in collaboration with the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) , announced the launch of the Net Zero strategy for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the “VB SAVE+” campaign. This initiative aims to elevate the standards of Thai products to international levels and overcome increasingly stringent green trade barriers.

The climate crisis has transformed environmental issues from mere options into the "new rule" of global business operations. In particular, the Carbon Footprint (CFP) label, compliant with ISO 14067, is becoming a crucial requirement for entering international markets.

The new global rules: Lack of carbon data equals lost opportunity.

The transition of Thai SMEs to a net-zero economy has been identified as an urgent agenda item, as global trading partners are beginning to impose tariffs or restrict imports of goods with high greenhouse gas emissions. If SMEs cannot transparently collect and assess greenhouse gas emissions data, it will directly impact their competitiveness and long-term growth opportunities.

“To keep pace with the global market, Thai SMEs need to adapt to the new global rules, especially having transparent and verifiable carbon data. The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) is ready to support their growth in this new economic context that prioritizes sustainability,” said Dr. Panita Chinawat, Acting Director of OSMEP.

SME support measures: Assistance with audit fees up to 1 baht.

To reduce the cost burden of carbon adaptation, the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) has utilized the Business Development Service (BDS) system under the "SME Success, Get Refund" project to support entrepreneurs through a Matching Fund or co-payment model, making it easier to access carbon consulting services and certification.

Dr. Apiradee Khaowthien, Deputy Director of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank (SME Bank), revealed details of the support measures as follows:

    • Goal: To support manufacturing businesses with annual revenue not exceeding 100 million baht and other service sectors with annual revenue not exceeding 50 million baht.
    • Funding: The Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank (SME Bank) will cover up to 80% of the expenses, up to a maximum of 100,000 baht.
    • Scope of Services: Covers consulting fees, verification fees, and certification fees for activities related to organizational carbon footprint (CFO), product carbon footprint (CFP), and voluntary greenhouse gas reduction projects (T-VER).

Building business resilience in the green economy.

This collaboration in the VB SAVE+ campaign focuses on providing in-depth knowledge to businesses so they can accurately identify the amount of greenhouse gases hidden in their production processes. This information will be used to plan effective emission reduction strategies, thereby increasing the added value of Thai products in the eyes of global consumers.

In a global economy shifting towards sustainability, Thai SMEs needing to meet international standards is crucial for building business resilience. Not only does it help retain existing customers in overseas markets, but it also opens doors to new business partners who prioritize environmental sustainability—a key focus for the modern economy in 2569.

 

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