Suwipa Wanasathop, director of Software Park Thailand, said that under the project, the park focused on exposing local software to the US market so it hired a consultant to train selected Thai software companies who have the potential to expand their services abroad.

The park in the first stage has selected eight software companies to join the programme. To participate, companies must meet certain minimum requirements -- they have to own their products and services and must have the intention to go abroad, she said. Under the programme, local software companies are trained in marketing when they are about to penetrate the US market.

"They will understand the size of the market, business opportunities that exist in the US, and how to motivate prospective business partners," she said.

Meanwhile, they will also see real case studies on approaching and negotiating with partners while the programme will help them find potential partners for each company. The program also includes one-on-one company coaching with the consultant, and a business delegation trip to the US.

 "This is the first programme in which we help local software companies to go international. We will roll out further programs suitable for other markets soon," she said. The park expects the programme will generate around Bt8 million of revenue from abroad.

Asina Pornwasin

The Nation