The International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD) announced its strategic direction for 2026 under the “3I: Insight – Impact – Integration” framework. This initiative aims to position ITD as a strategic trade intelligence hub, leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to equip Thai entrepreneurs and SMEs for the global shift towards Digital and Green Transitions. This year, ITD is pivoting its role from an academic institution to an “Action-based Incubation” center, focused on delivering tangible results and building economic resilience in the global arena.
Mr. Suphakit Chareonkul, Executive Director of ITD, stated that “The global trade landscape in 2026 remains highly complex and fast-changing due to emerging trade regulations. Competitive pressures are no longer limited to pricing but also extend to stringent environmental requirements such as cross-border carbon taxes, sustainability standards, and the trend toward geo-economic fragmentation, all of which directly affect global supply chains.
Meanwhile, Thai entrepreneurs and Thai SMEs which is the backbone of the national economy, accounting for 35% of GDP. Continue to face critical challenges, including limited access to technology, rising production costs, and insufficient access to strategic data and insights. To address these issues, ITD has formulated a proactive roadmap under the ‘3I’ strategy to leverage the institute’s strengths in support of Thailand’s economic sectors. The strategy comprises three key pillars as follows.”
INSIGHT ITD will enhance its knowledge management capabilities to serve as an Intelligence Hub, driving organizational decision-making and stakeholder engagement through data and in-depth analysis. This will be achieved through the development of a regional trade database that systematizes economic and trade information, supported by artificial intelligence (AI) to process large-scale datasets (Big Data). The objective is to generate timely, accurate insights that can effectively forecast future trade trends.
IMPACT ITD aims to generate tangible transformation within the business sector by shifting its operational focus from conventional training programs toward Action-based Incubation. This approach emphasizes outcome-driven learning, intensive strategic guidance, and close advisory support, enabling entrepreneurs to acquire practical knowledge and actionable business plans. The initiative will also facilitate connections with global partners to strengthen competitiveness and elevate product standards to meet international recognition.
INTEGRATION ITD will foster cohesive collaboration among policymakers, the private sector, and academic institutions both domestically and internationally. Serving as a central platform for strategic thought and knowledge exchange, the Institute will work closely with public and private stakeholders in Thailand to promote proactive and integrated economic policies aligned with the dynamics of the modern global landscape. This collaborative approach is intended to guide Thai entrepreneurs in adapting to emerging supply chain ecosystems.
“With the 3I strategy, the key outcome will be the enhancement of Thailand’s business competitiveness within the emerging global trade architecture. Entrepreneurs will gain access to in-depth data and employ information-based decision-making to guide their strategic planning, thereby reducing risks associated with reliance on traditional markets or outdated business models.
While government support will shift from activity-based assistance toward measurable economic outcomes including strengthening SME capabilities, upgrading product and service standards to align with new global trade rules, and integrating policy, finance, knowledge, and market mechanisms into a unified system. These developments will reduce structural vulnerabilities within the Thai economy and lay the foundation for Thailand to become a strategic trade hub in the region in a concrete and sustainable manner.”
Mr. Panumas Thepthong, Deputy Executive Director (Management) of ITD, stated that throughout 2025, the Institute implemented a wide range of programs aimed at disseminating knowledge and enhancing domestic human capital. Key initiatives included the ITD Exponential Trade Fair, SHE Commerce, Southeast Asia Trade and Development Forum 2025, the ITD Research Forum 2025, as well as SME-focused projects “ITD Expert Anywhere,” a platform developed to provide essential information and expert advisory services to Thai SMEs.
The project has now entered its fourth year, recording over 390,000 visits across its website and various platforms. In 2024, the platform served 60,342 users, with an additional 17,471 users joining in 2025, bringing the total to 77,813 users. For 2026, ITD aims to increase the user base by a further 8,000 individuals, while simultaneously launching nationwide roadshows to provide localized knowledge and support to small-scale entrepreneurs (SMEs).
In 2026, ITD remains committed to the continuous development of the “ITD Expert Anywhere” platform to enhance its efficiency in supporting SMEs. This includes coordinating and integrating various public and private sectors into the ecosystem. Key initiatives involve partnering with state-owned banks and financial institutions to provide access to credit and funding, as well as expanding the pool of specialized experts for consultancy. Furthermore, ITD will modernize its organizational management to become more agile, fully supporting its mission as an “Action-based Incubation” hub.
“ITD’s activities and platforms over the past year have not only focused on the dissemination of theoretical knowledge, but have also enabled SMEs to apply data and expert advice to business decision-making on key issues such as market selection, adapting strategies to new trade rules, and planning business expansion in alignment with their specific contexts. The ‘ITD Expert Anywhere’ platform has further reduced time and information-access costs for SMEs by serving as an integrated point of contact linking knowledge resources, experts, and government agencies in a single platform, enabling SMEs to have more convenient and efficient access to advisory services, data, and support mechanisms.
In addition, more than 390,000 views recorded to date demonstrate the strong demand among Thai SMEs for information, knowledge, and advisory support tied to real-world global trade dynamics. The target of platform downloads is therefore not merely a quantitative indicator but represents a critical turning point in building a business ecosystem in which entrepreneurs can leverage data and knowledge as strategic tools. This will help shift SMEs away from short-term dependency toward becoming a capable and sustainable driving force of the Thai economy in the long term.”
Mr. Wimon Punkong, Deputy Executive Director (Academic) of ITD, noted that ITD’s studies throughout 2025 indicate that global trade is undergoing a structural transition that requires Thai businesses to adapt. A key trend to monitor is the relocation of production bases and the reconfiguration of global supply chains driven by geopolitical tensions, which is leading to a broader dispersion of trade toward emerging economies, particularly within the Global South. These economies are becoming both new manufacturing hubs and large consumer markets with rapidly increasing purchasing power.
In 2026, Sustainability and Green Trade are expected to become global requirements that businesses must comply with to mitigate rising tariff-related costs and avoid losing competitiveness especially under regulations from the European Union and the United States such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and supply chain traceability measures.
At the same time, Digital Transformation and AI will continue to reshape global value chains, requiring Thai businesses and SMEs to move beyond mass production and toward value creation enabled by technology to directly access global markets. AI will play a critical role in analyzing consumer behavior, which is shifting toward more personalized demands. To support adaptation, ITD is preparing research and analytical data to help SMEs understand how to access new markets, leverage free trade agreements (FTAs) more effectively, and diversify risks by avoiding overreliance on any single market.
“As an agency under the Ministry of Commerce, the International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD) stands ready to advance regional cooperation and drive Thailand’s economic development toward international competitiveness. The Institute will continue to fulfill its mandate as a knowledge and data hub for trade and development, guided by the 3I strategy to ensure that Thai entrepreneurs are equipped to navigate rapidly evolving global trade rules. This will enable the Thai economy to transition toward sustainability while generating inclusive benefits across all sectors,” Mr. Suphakit concluded.
