Krungsri (Bank of Ayudhya PCL (SET: BAY)) reaffirms its leadership as the trusted partner among Japanese corporations, announcing the 2025 strategic direction for the Japanese Corporate Banking. The strategy reflects Krungsri’s continued commitment to promoting sustainability across both social and environmental dimensions while strengthening investment flows from Japan into Thailand through the Japan-ASEAN Startup Business matching Fair 2025, enhancing high-potential new core industries and driving sustainable economic growth in the region.
Mr. Bunsei Okubo, Krungsri Head of Japanese Corporate Banking, said: “Krungsri is committed to empowering Japanese corporations in Thailand to achieve sustainable growth. We are more than a financial provider; we are a trusted first-call business partner with a mission to drive social and environmental impact. Backed by a full suite of financial solutions, deep local expertise, and MUFG’s global network, we offer end-to-end support to Japanese clients, their employees, and stakeholders across all sectors. This has enabled Krungsri to maintain our leadership with strong relationships covering more than 70% of Japanese businesses in Thailand.”
2025 strategic direction: co-creating new core industries
Building on the momentum from the previous year, Krungsri’s 2025 strategy focuses on expanding sustainable growth and supporting new Japanese investment into Thailand under the concept of ‘Co-creating New Core Industries with Thai Government and Our Customers in Thailand.’ Krungsri will drive innovation and business opportunities in new core industries that hold the potential to reshape Thailand’s economic future through three key pillars:
1) Expanding collaborations with the government to advance high-potential industries. Krungsri continues to monitor key trends in the financial and investment sectors. In 2024, the Bank hosted the “Data Center: Opportunities in Thailand” to position Thailand as a data center investment hub. For 2025, Krungsri is focusing on emerging sectors such as bio green, semiconductor, food technology, and smart agriculture – industries poised to shape Thailand’s future economy.
A major highlight of this strategic direction is the continued success of the Japan-ASEAN Startup Business Matching Fair, the largest startup business matching event in ASEAN. This platform is designed to offer entrepreneurs and startups opportunities to connect, engage in business discussions, and foster growth throughout the ASEAN region and Japan. This year, the event is being held in collaboration with government agencies and leading corporations from 7 countries in Asia.
The event brought together over 54 high-potential startups from diverse industries, including those in AI technology, which drives cost efficiency and operational performance, and Gaming and animation, a key soft power sector aligned with government policy. In addition, the event showcases Japanese technologies focused on disaster prevention, aiming not only to enhance readiness but also to promote long-term risk reduction. The event facilitated over 400 business matches in a single day. Additionally, Krungsri signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Industrial Technology Investment Corporation to support startups from Taiwan on international expansion.
2) Enhancing business capabilities through financial solutions and digital innovation, with an emphasis on operations that align with ESG frameworks. Last year, Krungsri launched the first-ever Sustainable Deposit product, which received strong positive responses from clients across various industries, including Toyota Leasing, AGC Vinythai, and Sony Device Technology. Krungsri also supported social loans for Toyota Leasing, facilitating equitable and inclusive access to financial services.
Furthermore, Krungsri is collaborating with partners to develop solutions that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability. Looking ahead to 2025, Krungsri will continue to advance its goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions through increased collaboration with the public sector to promote knowledge exchange, raise awareness, and accelerate the transition toward sustainable operations.
3) Providing strategic consulting to support new industries and strengthen existing businesses. Krungsri has broadened its regional presence through Krungsri ASEAN LINK, successfully connecting Thai businesses with leading partner banks, including VietinBank (Vietnam), Danamon Bank (Indonesia), and Security Bank (Philippines). These partnerships offer clients efficient access to financial solutions and regional networks. A key milestone was the Krungsri ASEAN LINK Forum, which attracted more than 200 business clients and entrepreneurs, underscoring the strength of the Krungsri-MUFG partnership in expanding business opportunities across ASEAN. In 2025, Krungsri remains committed to becoming the “The Leading Sustainable and Regional Bank” by offering tailored financial solutions that drive growth throughout ASEAN.
