As part of the ongoing regional project on “Strengthening Disaster Resilience of SMEs in Asia”, the Global Initiative on Disaster Risk Management (GIDRM) in association with Asia Development Bank (ADB), the iPrepare Business facility of the Asia Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) organized the Thailand Business Forum showcase the emerging Private Sector Investment in Disaster and Climate Resilience. The government, private sector and development partners came together at the Thailand Business Forum held in Banyan Tree Hotel, Bangkok on 29 September 2016 to showcase the experience and initiatives by businesses on disaster and climate resilience and to explore future engagement of the private sector in resilience building efforts.​

Over 80 participants from key ministries and planning agencies e.g. National Economics and Social Development Board (NESDB), Office of SMEs Promotion, and Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation of the Ministry of Interior, development partners as well as private sector organizations e.g. the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), Chamber of Commerce and SMEs and large corporations attended the Forum. It recalled the devastating impacts of 2011 floods in Thailand and highlighted the importance of keeping the memories alive. At the opening session, Mr. Chen Namchaisiri, Chairman of FTI reiterated “the great flood of 2011 was indeed the turning point for the public and private sectors in Thailand to shift from a reactive to more proactive approach in disaster preparedness and mitigation in order to strengthen the SME business resilience”.

For more information, please contact Napaporn Yuberk, Global Initiative on Disaster Risk Management (GIDRM), E-mail: napaporn.yuberk@giz.de