The Thai government is making significant strides to position Thailand as a pivotal hub for halal industries within the ASEAN region, aiming to elevate Thai halal food and products to global prominence.
Ahead of the Cabinet meeting held on February 27, 2023, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Srettha Thavisin, explored a showcase of halal food and products curated by the Ministry of Industry at Government House. The exhibition aimed to spotlight Thailand’s burgeoning halal industry.
Expressing admiration for the exquisite designs of Muslim attire and garments showcased, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of expanding businesses through online platforms to diversify options for both traders and consumers. This initiative not only promises increased income opportunities for local communities but also serves to promote Thai cultural assets on a global scale.
During the event, the Prime Minister observed a live demonstration of cooking Thai halal cuisine, featuring ingredients sourced from the five southern border provinces renowned for their sizable Muslim population: Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, Satun, and Songkhla.
Earlier, the Ministry of Industry outlined strategic measures to enhance Thailand’s halal industry, including integrating Thai halal food into various festivals and forging connections between the halal sector and tourism industry. Thailand aims to penetrate new halal markets by establishing memorandums of understanding with foreign nations and organizing roadshows in potential markets across ASEAN, the Middle East, and South Asia.
With an abundance of raw materials conducive to halal food production, Thailand holds immense potential to cater to the diverse demands of global markets. According to statistics, between January and November 2023, Thailand exported halal food products valued at approximately 217 billion baht, indicating a growth rate of 2.6 percent compared to the previous year. Presently, Thailand boasts over 15,000 halal food producers and more than 3,500 halal-certified restaurants.
Thailand’s ambitions extend beyond catering solely to Muslim countries, as it seeks to capitalize on opportunities to expand halal exports to non-Muslim nations as well, buoyed by its reputation for quality and authenticity in halal production. As Thailand continues to bolster its halal industry, it is poised to emerge as a prominent player in the global halal market, championing both economic growth and cultural exchange.
