Depa concerned over 35% drop in funding

The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa) has expressed concerns about a 35% reduction in its fiscal 2022 budget allocated by the government, saying it would hinder several core projects to promote digital adoption and transformation in the country.

Depa president and chief executive Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin said 694 million baht was set aside for the agency’s operating budget for fiscal 2022, the lowest since it was established four years ago.

The 35% decline from the fiscal 2021 budget, he said, would affect several important projects, such as plans to work with other agencies to support digital adoption and efforts to boost digital transformation. There is strong demand for digital adoption among companies that want to overcome financial and organisational burdens caused by the pandemic.

“Depa understands the government’s…