September 11, 2007

Thailand to develop halal food production base in restive south

Thailand is making plans to develop its restive southern province of Pattani into a region known for halal food production rather than religious strife.

Deputy Industry Minister Piyabutr Cholvijarn said his ministry and the government-run Board of Investment (BoI) are jointly considering to develop a food production base in the southern province of Pattani.

Speaking to a seminar attended by representatives from more than 57 Islamic countries last week, Piyabutr revealed that there are now more than 10 Halal food producers in Pattani, and he believed that demand for halal food products worldwide offers attractive market possibilities.

Meanwhile, Thai Halal food producers should strive to improve quality and meet required standards, he said.

Thailand's halal cooked chicken and seafood exports last year were worth more than Bt70 billion (US$2.15 billion) and this is expected to grow 43 percent this year to  Bt100 billion (US$3.0 billion) this year. 

The growth of Halal food exports is expected to be sustained and investments would continue despite the militant violence in the province, said Piyabutr.

In August, the municipal council of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) approved the Thai Halal brand which encompasses 24 chicken slaughterhouses, and 36 chicken processing factories. 

Gaining UAE certification means Thai products are now granted access to other Middle East countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar.

However, militant violence in Thailand's southern region continues unabated, with schoolchildren having to be escorted to school by soldiers in some villages.