Credit joins with CDD for the OTOP contest aiming to promote home-grown products and encourage sustainability in the community

Thai Credit Retail Bank Plc has initiated an OTOP Product Pitching project which aims to help promote community-led product development that reflects wisdom, beliefs, and way of life, while also creating career development opportunities, generating income, and enhancing the quality of residents' lives. The project is in line with the EMpower for Community initiatives and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Thanks to the strong support of the Ministry of Interior's Community Development Department (CDD), the project, which was launched earlier this year, enjoyed considerable success with many community enterprises across the country taking part in the contest.

Thai Credit Retail Bank's Chief Executive Officer Winyou Chaiyawan said the community-led product development contest, the so-called "One Tambon One Product (OTOP)" contest, illustrates the bank's commitment to promoting sustainable economic and social development for communities nationwide and adheres to its business philosophy - Everyone Matters. To achieve its goals, the bank has devised programs that bring locals together for creative activities that help boost their earnings, develop self-reliance, and strengthen the community. It has also supported them in developing unique products that represent the local wisdom, beliefs, and way of life, which can add value to them.

"We are delighted that the project has been so successful with great results. It received a positive response from entrepreneurs when we ran it for the first time this year. The success helps boost the bank's team spirit to create more social and community projects in the future." he said.

Some 151 community enterprises from 37 provinces took part in the first round of the contest. They submitted products they created that were classified into four main categories: premium; national-level; local-level; and basic. Twelve entrants with quality products that met the evaluation criteria went through to the final round of the contest, which each entrant pitched their products to the panel of judges.

The winner of the premium and basic categories went to the "stainless flatware set" by Phoethong Aranyik Handiwork Co Ltd. from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. The "four-season oolong tea gift set" by Jatuphon Thai Tea (Doi Mae Salong) from Chiang Rai walked away with the award at the national level and the "exotic natural soap gift set" by Nature Life Herb Co Ltd from Prachinburi won the local level category.

All 12 entrants of the final round were presented with a trophy and an offer of a product supply agreement with the Thai Credit Retail Bank Plc. The achievements will help support small businesses and entrepreneurs while increasing income for the locals.

Krisana Aramkulchai, Thai Credit Retail Bank's board director said the contest had helped generate new business opportunities for local enterprises while providing the bank with the opportunity to help promote local wisdom as well as support locally produced products and those who create them.

"The contest is about a lot more than scores. We aim to empower small businesses and enterprises which are the lifeblood of the local economy and promote inclusion. We hope that the contest will help strengthen the local economy and positively contribute to the community in a more meaningful way. Strong and self-reliant communities are a foundation of the country's economic growth and development in the future." she said.

Totsamonporn Puttachantra, director of the CDD's Community Product Promotion and Development Group and one of the judges said each entry was judged on three key evaluation criteria: product presentation, product quality, and presentation of their strengths and wisdom.

"On behalf of the CDD, I would like to thank the Thai Credit Retail Bank for inviting me to be a judge of the contest. It was a great pleasure to be part of the judging process and I hope my contribution was valuable. All the entries are truly amazing and unique. The winning products all have qualities that meet the judging criteria. They have strong identities and fascinating stories behind them. Congratulations to all the winners." she said.

• The Winners of Premium and Basic
  • Siriphen Nakabut of Phoethong Aranyik Handiwork Co Ltd from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. The winning product is a "stainless flatware set".

"First of all, I would like to thank the Thai Credit Retail Bank for initiating such a great project. The contest allows us to make a presentation in front of the judging panel. The awards will help us improve ourselves and do better in the future. We hope that working with the bank will quickly generate interest in our products while boosting income for the locals so that they will enjoy a better quality of life."

• The Winner at the National Level
  • Titapa Cheewinchalermchot of Jatuphon Thai Tea (Doi Mae Salong) from Chiang Rai. The winning product is a "four-seasons oolong tea gift set".

"We're thankful to the judging panel who selected us to qualify for this award. Earlier, we just wanted to take part in the contest to gain experience and exchange ideas with other contestants. We are happy and proud to win this award. Thank you so much to the judges for your support and recognition of our work. It was a very enjoyable experience taking part in such a great contest. It would be a great pleasure to join again in the future."

• The Winner at the Local level
  • Rojwasin Rattanasaowakhon of Nature Life Herb Co Ltd from Prachinburi. The winning product is an "exotic natural soap gift set".

"It's an incredible moment for us. We are tremendously pleased to win this special award and for our product to be selected as the bank's giveaway. We would like to thank the bank for helping promote the homegrown products we have created and for recognizing the importance of local wisdom. Your support will help grow our business and boost the local economy."

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