Canva tie-up to boost sector

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas highlighted Thailand's collaboration with Australian digital design firm Canva as a significant opportunity to strengthen the nation's creative economy. During a visit to Canva's headquarters in Sydney, he emphasized the partnership's potential to develop design talent and artificial intelligence, positioning Thailand as a regional hub for digital innovation.

The government aims for this collaboration to connect Thai educational institutions and SMEs with global digital markets. Ekniti stated, "The goal is not simply to attract global technology companies, but to ensure Thai people and businesses grow alongside global technology, fostering design talent and AI skills." He added that this strategy combines Thai technology with global expertise to create new income sources, skills, and jobs.

Canva, which serves over 262 million monthly users across 191 countries, has over 30 million registered accounts in Thailand, making it the sixth-largest market globally. The Thai government has invited Canva to consider establishing a regional office and an AI Design research center in Thailand. This move would enable the country to move beyond being just a technology user and become a base for developing design technologies and talent in the region.

The partnership also includes free access to Canva for Education for students and teachers, facilitated through cooperation with the Office of the Basic Education Commission and the Office of the Private Education Commission. This initiative aims to support 40,000 Thai SMEs by enhancing their product identity, packaging, campaigns, and marketing materials, thereby improving their competitiveness and reaching domestic and international consumers.

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The goal is not simply to attract global technology companies, but to ensure Thai people and businesses grow alongside global technology, fostering design talent and AI skills.