When asked what the top three priorities were in the digital economy over the next two years, both Thai and other APEC executives listed investment in digital customer interactions such as mobile payment, online marketing and remote services, and skills and development of workforce to thrive in the digital economy.
Thai executives also intend to put money into the development of digital products, while the rest of APEC would rather invest in operations, such as leveraging data from design to delivery.
Regarding the impact of technology on jobs, around a third of both Thai (30%) and APEC (35%) executives agreed that their firms were creating more jobs but are struggling to fill the roles with people with the needed skills.
When discussing the three most important areas to improve to respond to the digital economy, it is significant that 70% of Thai CEOs believed that improvements to the principal economy’s digital infrastructure are necessary, while 45% mentioned increasing the workforce in the principal economy and raising standards in the principal economy for data and privacy protection, and 38% mentioned improving the availability of digital ready talent in the principal economy.
Half of APEC CEOs (52%) agreed that the most important area was improving the principal economy’s digital infrastructure. However, 43% of APEC CEOs mentioned developing the digital business sector and improving the availability of digital ready talent, and 36% mentioned increasing the workforce in the principal economy.
Q17: Looking ahead, in which areas will your organisation prioritise investment over the next 2 years to succeed in
shaping the digital future in Asia Pacific? (Rank the top 3)
Source: PwC’s APEC CEO Survey 2018
Q19:What are the most important areas to improve for your principal economy to further advance in the digital economy? (Rank the top 3)
Source: PwC’s APEC CEO Survey 2018
Contact us
