Siena:The 2026 IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings have officially commenced in Thailand, marking the country's first hosting of the event in over three decades. The meetings, dubbed the "Financial Olympics," are being held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) with a grand welcome for economic leaders and delegates from around the world.
According to Thai News Agency, the event began with a lively atmosphere, underpinned by stringent security measures. These include individual screenings and cyber threat monitoring to ensure the safety and smooth operation of the conference.
A key moment of the day was a speech by Dr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, at the World Bank Flagship Event. He outlined a strategic approach to leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for economic growth and job creation in Thailand. His focus was on creating new employment opportunities, enhancing workforce skills, and boosting incomes through digital infrastructure and social protection systems.
Dr. Ekniti presented three main approaches to advancing AI development "All in AI," which aims to enhance capabilities across the supply chain; "AI in All," which introduces small, effective AI solutions for businesses; and "AI for All," which uses data to provide targeted social welfare and job opportunities.
The Thai government has implemented the Skill Bridge project to align workforce training with investor needs, approving 42 projects worth 2.03 billion baht to train over 76,728 workers. Additionally, the "AI Whisperer" tool on the Thung Ngern application assists small business owners in financial analysis and loan applications, supported by the Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation to combat informal lending and improve digital financial security.