Ekniti Leads Thailand’s Investment Drive at World Economic Forum

Davos: Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Thailand, led a delegation to the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland, to engage with international organizations and private sector executives. Mr. Narut Teodsathirasak, Secretary-General of the Board of Investment (BOI), highlighted the team’s efforts to foster confidence and attract investment to Thailand, aiming to position the country as a hub for future industries.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Ekniti met with Mr. Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, to discuss global economic challenges, the development of a low-carbon society, and the enhancement of skilled labor in Thailand. These discussions align with Thailand’s preparation for hosting the annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank in October 2026.

Further talks were held with Mr. Mirek Dusek, Managing Director of WEF, and Mr. John Dutton, Head of WEF’s Uplink Program, to explore networking innovations and support for young entrepreneurs in accessing global investment. The discussions also covered sustainability and ESG cooperation, reflecting a growing global focus on environmental protection.

In addition, Mr. Ekniti engaged with executives from leading global technology companies to attract foreign investment and advance Thailand’s digital economy. This included initiatives to enhance digital skills among Thai entrepreneurs and workers.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced a significant investment plan of 150 billion baht over 15 years, supported by investment promotion from the BOI. The initial phase involves 24.8 billion baht, following the launch of three data centers in Thailand. AWS plans to participate in the Thai government’s Cloud First project to train data center engineers.

Microsoft, an established player in cloud and AI technology in Thailand, continues to collaborate with local private companies and government agencies to develop digital and AI skills, enhancing the Thai workforce.