International Exposure Visit Programme in Thailand
For
Bhutan Development Bank
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. Programme participation and hosting
Nine Bhutan Development Bank (BDB) officers (see list in Annex 1) participated in an exclusive BDB-customized exposure visit programme in Bangkok and the provinces of Petchburi and Nakorn Pathom, Thailand on 6 – 14 August 2017. The programme was arranged by the Center for Entrepreneurship and New Generation Farming (CENGEF) of the New Generation Farmers Network Enterprise Thailand (NGFNET), now renamed Development Center for Entrepreneurs and New Generation Farmers Association (D-CENGEF) of Thailand.
2. Programme objectives
The programme sought to further strengthen BDB’s capacities in providing financial and finance-related service to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and to urban and rural households, particularly small farmers and farmers’ organizations. It was also intended to augment the BDB participants’ knowledge and skills in financing rural and urban households SMEs. As a growing bank in Bhutan, BDB desired to further expand its participants’ skills in international banking operations.
3. Programme contents
Discussions and dialogue
i) BAAC’s major financial policies, innovative lending and savings operations, rules and regulations, and procedures in support of farmers – individual and joint liability groups, cooperatives, agricultural marketing cooperatives and new generation farmers; ii) Linkages, processes and stakeholders in the agricultural value chain with special focus on SMEs and on the enterprises based on rice, livestock, vegetables and fruits; and iii) Major agricultural policies of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives by Mr. Jirasak Malangphuthong, Senior Vice President, Personal Loan Department, Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives.
International banking operations by Ms. Yupadee Charoensuk, Assistant Vice President, International Trade Product and Business Process Development Department, Kasikorn Bank, Thailand.
ii) Climate setting session and ii) Overview of the exposure visit programme by Ms. Warinthra Purinthrapiban, CENGEF Director, NGFNET.
Introduction to the NGFNET/CENGEF by Mr. Thaninchote Lertnithitheeraporn. NGFNET President.
Visit to farms, marketing outreach, SMEs and dialogue with farmers and producers as well as companies, organizations and other stakeholders.
- Visit semi-urban cooperative, trader, vegetable packing factory and and Central Group – Top Supermarket. Vegetable packing and trading factory are some of the royal projects established by Her Royal Highness Princess Patcharakittiyapa, which provided central collection points, price calculation based on weight, purchasing and fund transfer to complete the transaction. The main partner of the factory is the Central Group, one of biggest domestic department stores and with premium supermarkets around the country.
- Visit to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Ratchaburi Province. The Damnoen Saduak canal was built in 1866 and by King Rama IV of the Chakri Dynasty and opened to the public in 1868 to facilitate waterborne travels between Ratchaburi and Samut Sakhon Provinces. The canal also provides local farmers with adequate water for producing various kinds of fruits and vegetables along the water way. Vendors and purchasers on their small rowing boats sell and buy agricultural products and local food. Participants also observed Thai traditional houses, local life and tasted exotic fronts, local food and refreshing drinks along the waterway.
- Visit to agriculture-based SMEs, focusing on livestock and herbs/spices
Focus 1—Livestock. Participants have visited a cow community enterprise, which produced the Beef Massaman curry in can and sold them at their own cooperative shop in Petchaburi City. The support from government and BAAC, and the creation of a centre for cow community enterprise have resulted in higher value addition in value added product. All participants have learnt the process of value chain financing from this visitation too.
Focus 2 - Herbs and Spices. Don-Khun-Huay Project was established in 1993 for a group of unemployed housewives for making artificial flowers. The project began to pay attention to herbal plants such as bell pepper, garlic and pepper. Group members profited profit from herb plantation. The processes of drying, grinding and pounding and mixing with other herbs are done by the group. The final product capsule follows the FDA standards of Thailand.
- Briefing and dialogue on SME product development at Petchburi Rajabhat University.
Asst. Professor Pojanart Buakhleo, Vice President, Patchaburi Rajabhat University presented how the university operates its SME projects based on the late King’s philosophy of sufficiency economy for local sustainable development. The vision emphasizes training effective students through teaching and learning within and outside the classroom with integrated community services. Strategies include developing communities, training teachers, improving quality of education and developing management systems.
- Visit to the Aor-Tor-Kor agricultural market
Aor-Tor-Kor is ranked as the 4th best fresh market in the world by a famous travel guide. It showcases best fruits, vegetables from the entire country. It also sells meals, snacks and Thai sweets. Other highlights include ready-cut and custom-cut meats, seafood, fresh mackerel, dried meats and the various condiments used in Thai cooking. Adjacent to the market, the Doi Khum shop features organic vegetables, spa products and other dry grocery items from the Royal Project.
- Visit to the SMEs Centre Market and Chatuchak market
Among the largest markets in the world, Chatuchak seems to sell everything buyable, from used vintage sneakers to baby squirrels. There are vendors on weekday mornings, and a daily vegetable, plant and flower market opposite the market’s southern side. It is in full operation on weekends. It also showcases antiques, handicrafts & souvenirs, house wares & décor, and potted plants and garden accessories.
- Special cultural and historical showcase
A special presentation at the Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall in Bangkok highlighted the wisdom of earlier periods in Thai history, strategic urban planning, restoration and enhancement of arts and culture as well as building morale, unity and stability in the communities.
4. Programme management and facilitation
- The exposure visit programme was under the general management of Mr. Thanit Suthasuwan, NGFNET Chairman and facilitated by Ms. Warinthra Purinthrapiban, CENGEF Director, and Mr. Kittisak Mommoh, CENGEF Secretary.
- Participants were provided with a folder containing relevant learning, briefing and informational materials and a set of pictures of the visit.
- A closing assessment indicted a very high regard of the participants on the programme contents, methodology, discussions with stakeholders and the actual exposure visits to farms, SMEs and markets. The topics covered were very relevant, informative and useful. The presentation of BAAC was useful in banking operations. Knowledge gained from Kasikorn Bank presentation was considered useful to BDB’s future entry into international banking. The participants suggested longer exposure visit period to be able to absorb more knowledge and skills. Overall, the exposure visit provided a glimpse of the economic and agricultural development of Thailand, showcased the country’s magnificent agricultural and marketing systems and structures, and exhibited the country’s rich cultural and social landscape.
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