Thai Business Potential Leveraged through the Scaled-up WIPO IPMC Program

In today’s fast-paced, competitive and globalized market, the need for adequate and forward-looking management of intellectual property (IP) and intangible assets has become more crucial than ever. To help businesses safeguard their innovations and maximize their potential as well as learning from the good practices gained in earlier programs in ASEAN, we are excited to announce the launch of a scaled-up  IP Management Clinic (IPMC) program for SMEs in Bangkok, Thailand, on September 4, 2024 with a focus on the food and beverage, and wellness industries.

The food and beverage industry in Thailand has shown strong resilience, showing a 2.8% growth in the beverage sector in 2022¹. The food market, valued at USD 32.85 billion in 2024, is projected to reach USD 47.79 billion by 2029, expanding thus at a CAGR of 7.78%². In Q1 2024, the food industry was one of the top three sectors for foreign direct investment promotion certifications; the other two being Agriculture and Biotechnology³. The Food Tech Startup ecosystem is also thriving, with over 100 startups focusing on trends like alternative proteins, restaurant tech, intelligent food services, and smart food-based manufacturing.

Another dynamic sector is Thailand’s wellness industry -- especially as regards wellness tourism, spa services, and health-related products and services. The global wellness sector is expected to grow at 7.5% annually, reaching USD 7 trillion by 2025⁴. Thailand is well-positioned to benefit from this upward trend, ranking top in Asia Pacific for wellness tourism with close to USD 8 billion in earnings in 2022⁵. As a whole, Thailand’s wellness economy contributes nearly 10% to the country’s GDP.  Emerging technology trends in this sector include virtual health and wellness products and services, digital health and fitness tech, and sustainable wellness.

Such rapid growth as noted above has been built on, and further reinforced by, innovation and technology.

Why IP Matters

IP is the backbone of innovation and creativity. It ensures that new and unique ideas, products, and services are protected from unauthorized use, giving the enterprises and entrepreneurs concerned a competitive edge. Businesses should therefore identify and leverage their respective IP portfolios for value creation and addition beyond just protection.  As such, understanding and maximizing IP can significantly enhance commercial growth and sustainability regardless of whether the business concerned is a startup, a SME, or an established firm.

IPMC Program

Led by the IP for Business Division (IPBD), WIPO, the IPMC has witnessed a substantial growth since its inception in 2021.  There were, 13 clinic programs conducted in 2023 across 27 countries and catering to various industries and sectors such as food & beverage, manufacturing, healthtech, education, sustainable fashion, artificial intelligence, green technologies and agriculture technologies.

For more information about this program, please visit IP Management Clinic for SMEs Program.

In the ASEAN region, a series of scaled-up IPMC programs for some 300 home-grown enterprises have been rolled out with the targeted completion in early 2025. These programs are jointly led by WIPO Singapore Office and IPBD in close collaboration with key stakeholders in the region.  They will be conducted in Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.

Success Stories

Many businesses have already benefited from IP-related services, including the IPMC program, from WIPO.  They comprise, for instance, domestic companies with   franchise operations in food&beverage and education sectors in the Philippines, home-grown e-commerce platforms for agribusiness and food delivery in Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam respectively, and two local design companies in Laos.  All these business beneficiaries have developed robust IP management strategies and commercialization approaches. With the consequent and growing confidence and assurance concerning IP, many of them have now made plans to expand their businesses into the regional and international markets.

For more details on the IP Management Clinic success stories in the region and other countries please visit WIPO Singapore Office and IP Management Clinic for SMEs Program.

Program Highlights for the Thai Edition

Thai companies can now be part of the first 300 home-grown enterprises in ASEAN benefitting from the IPMC program.  The participating companies will receive a range of services such as:

• One-on-One Consultations: with personalized advice tailored to specific business needs.
• Workshops and Training: with insights provided by industry experts -- including on IP management, patent filing, trademark registration, and many more.
• Access to Resources: with guidance for the utilization and leverage of WIPO’s extensive library of IP tools and resources such as guides, templates, and case studies.
• Networking Opportunities: with access to other businesses and IP professionals for possible network formation and partnership.

This scaled-up WIPO IPMC program in Thailand is funded by the Fund-In-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global, the Japan Patent Office.  It is jointly implemented by WIPO Singapore Office and the IPBD, WIPO, in collaboration with the ASEAN-Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), the ASEAN Secretariat, the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) Thailand as well as such major local stakeholders as the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Thai Industries.

Join Us Today

For interested parties, please visit our WIPO Singapore Office website or please contact us at singapore.office@wipo.int for more information.

About the WIPO Singapore Office

We are committed to multi-stakeholder collaboration in supporting businesses in ASEAN to develop and leverage IP for business advantage and growth through innovation and creativity.

About the IP for Business Division

We are responsible for developing tools and services and implementing programs to support enterprises maximize their potential through intellectual property. The division works with SME support institutions and other intermediaries and supports the development of innovation ecosystems.