Huawei cloud summit lights up digital Thailand

Chinese tech giant Huawei Cloud announced on Thursday its commitment to joint efforts with the Thai government and build the kingdom a regional cloud hub with its digital technologies.

Huawei Cloud is set to boost its efforts in Thailand over the next five years, focusing on local digital infrastructure to ensure data security and processing efficiency, according to Shi Jilin, president of Global Marketing and Sales Service of Huawei Cloud.

Speaking at Huawei Cloud Summit Thailand on Thursday, Shi noted that the substantial investment will bolster Thailand's position as a digital leader in Southeast Asia.

She said Huawei has increased its investment in the cloud infrastructure in Thailand and that the suite of technologies and tools available to Thailand from its cloud platform has kept growing over the years.

"We are committed to boosting our efforts with our partners in Thailand by bringing more advanced technologies and tools and growing the digital services here. We shall not only bring real benefits that are tangible in our daily life, but also leverage the role of the cloud infrastructure to drive the wider digital transformation," she said.

Since 2018, Huawei has invested 5.5 billion baht ($156.83 million) to build its cloud infrastructure. Huawei Cloud has partnered with the Thai Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to launch the e-Government cloud for enhancing digital collaboration and public service quality. It has also supported Thailand's first smart city in the Eastern Economic Corridor, improving public services and infrastructure.

The company also helped to train local talents to meet the digital trends. The ASEAN Academy Thailand, which was set up in 2020, has trained over 96,200 individuals, including ICT practitioners, cloud AI developers, green engineers, and rural students.

"Our partnership with Huawei Cloud underscores our dedication to building a robust, secure, and reliable digital ecosystem. Its investment in local infrastructure and advanced technologies will play a crucial role in supporting our Cloud First vision," said Prasert Chanthararuangthong, minister of Digital Economy and Society.

During the summit, Prasert said that joint efforts between the ministry and Huawei Cloud aims at showcasing the benefits of the government "Cloud First" policy for the Thai people.

"Cloud First" policy that was unveiled last year is more than just a technological initiative, he noted. "It's a comprehensive strategy to drive Thailand's digital transformation, enhance public service efficiency, and foster innovation across all sectors."

He added that the policy will not only enhance the efficiency and security of the country's digital infrastructure but also provide the foundation for Thailand to become a hub of technological innovation and economic growth.

"We are confident that this policy will accelerate our digital transformation, create new opportunities for economic development, and position Thailand at the forefront of the digital revolution in Southeast Asia," Prasert said.