Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are a very important element of the
Thai economy as it accounts for 99% of the overall enterprise number causing them to
be an essential foundation of the sustainable development and a key mechanism to
promote economic revitalizing, to reinforce economic progress, and to eradicate
poverty. Data and information to confirm the significant role of SMEs are as follows. In
2006, SMEs share in the overall employment was around 77% while their contribution
in generating average value added was approximately 39% of the overall GDP. In terms
of direct export, they accounted for over 29% of overall export value.