depa revealed Q2/2021 Digital Industry Sentiment Index in stable direction amidst the Covid-19 crisis

Monday 02 August 2021 16:25
Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) announced the 'Digital Industry Sentiment Index' that shows stable tendency of Q2/2021 in all sectors caused by the outbreak of the third wave of Covid-19. Business and people slow downed on digital product/service purchasing in regard to vague management measures on vaccination. Digital entrepreneurs urged Thai government to implement more practical digital promotion polices as well as more government's digital service to heighten overall economic confidence and facilitate work-from-home activities.

Dr. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, President/CEO of depa, said that the stable tendency of the 'Digital Industry Sentiment Index' influenced by decrease in amount and slow down of the purchasing orders on digital products/services from the private sector/customers including of lower rate of investment and higher operation cost. Other factors are the third wave of Covid-19 and uncertain policies/measures for outbreak control principally vaccination. The index slightly decreased from 46.4 to 45.6 comparing to Q1/2021.

Among 5 digital sectors surveyed under the index, only the software industry increased above the 49 level (49.5). Nevertheless, other 4 sectors suffered below the 49 level, in term of business turnover purchasing order and investment; digital service (48.9), hardware and smart device (42.3), digital content (42.0), and telecommunication (40.7) consecutively. This reflected overall lacks of industrial confidents as well as cautious buying behaviors from businesses.

"Vital entrepreneurs' expectations for the Thailand's digital industry are robust, and outcome-oriented digital economy promotion polices to stimulate investments both for digital business and people. Furthermore, interest rate and source of loan management policies also highlighted accompanied with tax privilege packages to incentivize more digital industrial activities and increase competitiveness including support more opportunities for digital providers on government procurement market. Explicit vaccination management measures and expanded government's digital service are also needed to heighten overall economic confidence and facilitate consecutive work-from-home activities", said President/CEO of depa

All details and results of the Q2/2021 Digital Industry Sentiment Index are available on www.depa.or.th, LINE@depaThailand and depa Thailand Facebook page. There are also other surveys on the digital industry conducted by depa on the website.

Source: Brand Communication