On 10 October 2023, Mr. Monsak Jangariyawong, Minister Counsellor, hosted a Working Lunch for Mr. Ole Henæs, Regional Director Asia & Middle East, Innovation Norway, to discuss ways to promote cooperation on innovation between Thailand and Norway, including on clean energy. This meeting was also to follow-up on the outcome of the 12th Thai-Norwegian Bilateral Consultations which was held on 3 March 2023 in Bangkok. Ms. Potchamas Saengthien, Counsellor, and Ms. Bheraya Homkosol, Counsellor, also joined the Working Lunch.
On this occasion, Minister Counsellor Monsak exchanged views with Mr. Henæs, regarding ways to promote cooperation on innovation and research and development between Thailand and Norway, especially on clean energy including Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technology, and investment in the field of clean energy in Thailand. Furthermore, the Thai side is interested in collaborating with Norway on Research & Development for new technology related to climate change, alternative energy, upcycling, and water management, and on Startups. Minister Counsellor Monsak viewed that Thailand and Nordic Countries Innovation Unit (TNIU) is good focal point to move forward the said cooperation and to support the policy linkage between Norway’s Green Transition policy and Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model. Mr. Henæs expressed his readiness to cooperate and consider ways to promote collaboration with the Thai side.
Minister Counsellor Monsak also informed Mr. Henæs about the Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC), a Thai agency which is interested in establishing collaboration with Innovation Norway. In this connection, Mr. Henæs expressed an interest to have an online discussion with the representative of PMUC and a meeting in person with PMUC during his upcoming visit to Bangkok, Thailand, at the end of November 2023 to attend the Norway-Asia Business Summit 2023.
Innovation Norway was established in 2004. Innovation Norway is the Norwegian Government's most important instrument for innovation and development of Norwegian enterprises and industry. Innovation Norway supports companies in developing their competitive advantage and to enhance innovation, promotes access to a broad business support system as well as financial means, and provides competence, advisory services, promotional services and network services. At present, 51 percent of Innovation Norway is owned by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries of Norway, and 49 percent by the county authorities. Innovation Norway has about 700 employees, working in offices across Norway and abroad.