SSI Group, represented by Mr. Padungsak Pranudomrat, Head of Group Sustainable Development and Communication, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ms. Suwanna Tiaew Suwan, Director of the Bioeconomy Development Office (BEDO), and Mr. Witool Thanawirachai, President of the World Smile Community Enterprise, Suphanburi Province. The agreement aims to promote and support the development of the use of community bioresources in 2024 through a “Business Matching Project to Enhance Production According to BEDO-BCG Principles and Create Marketing Opportunities.” The signing ceremony took place at Lavender Room 1, 3rd floor, Building 3, TK Palace & Convention Hotel, Bangkok, with executives from BEDO, BEDO network communities, and entrepreneurs in attendance. The event also included presentations of the results of business matching activities from 2023 to monitor and ensure effective and efficient project implementation.
The scope of collaboration to support and develop the use of community-level bioresources includes:
- Support and cooperation in research and development to elevate community products to commercial levels.
- Joint promotion, support, and exchange of information and knowledge on biodiversity and bio-based products that have been developed and upgraded.
- Joint publicity and dissemination of information and activities related to bio-based community products that have gone through development processes to meet quality and standards.
SSI Group, in collaboration with the World Smile Community Enterprise from the Suphanburi Province, organized training on producing containers made from locally available natural materials such as banana leaves, water hyacinth, teak leaves, coconut fibers, and coconut husks. This training was offered to representatives of the Bang Saphan Community Enterprise Network and interested participants, including:
• Sustainable Agricultural Fruit Processing Group, Phongprasat Subdistrict
• Ban Ton Thong Lang Community Enterprise Group, Phongprasat Subdistrict
• Ban Thang Sai Community Tourism Group
• Ban Thang Sai Tie-Dye Group, Thongchai Subdistrict
• Ban Na Phak Khwang Agricultural Women’s Group, Kamnoet Nopkhun Subdistrict
• Chai Kasem Subdistrict Housewives Group
• BSP Community Bank Network and Village Leader Group, Thongchai Subdistrict
• OTOP Community Tourism Group, Ma Rong Village, Phongprasat Subdistrict
• Agricultural Productivity Improvement Learning Center Group, Bangsaphan District
• OTOP Group, Ban Nong Chan, Chai Kasem Subdistrict
The training focused on producing containers from natural materials, which is a business development initiative for the Bangsaphan community enterprise. This hands-on training included practical sessions on forming containers using heat-molded natural materials, which replace environmentally harmful foam products. Foam contains CFC (chlorofluorocarbon), a greenhouse gas that damages the ozone layer, is difficult to decompose, and contributes to environmental pollution. Furthermore, CFCs pose health risks when residues enter the body.
SSI Group recognizes the importance of promoting and developing the sustainability of the Bangsaphan community enterprise alongside its business operations. The company has consistently supported initiatives that focus on enhancing the Bangsaphan community enterprise network. By utilizing natural plants or materials to create containers, the initiative reduces plastic waste, eliminates foam, and helps clear invasive plant species that obstruct watercourses. This solution reduces packaging costs, enhances the image of tourist destinations, and generates additional income for local communities.