The Prime Minister pushes Thailand to become the center of halal in ASEAN by 2027.

Government House, The Prime Minister is moving forward to promote Thailand's participation in the process of global food security, elevating Thailand to become the ASEAN Halal Center in 2027, and establishing Thailand Halal Valley, aiming to increase the industrial sector's GDP by 55 billion baht. Mr. Chai Wachirong, the government spokesman, revealed that Mr. Settha Thavisin, the Prime Minister, is pushing for potential to support Thailand to become a food hub and prepare for global food security through measures, mechanisms for production and trade of agricultural and food products, including the development of potential and support for Thailand to participate in exporting food products in the halal market. The government, through the National Halal Industry Committee, has set guidelines to develop and drive the country's halal industry and has set a target for the industrial sector's gross domestic product (GDP) to expand by 1.2 percent, worth 55 billion baht. The Prime Minister's Office spokesperson sa id that the Office of Trade Policy and Strategy (OTPS), Ministry of Commerce, has been monitoring the global food security situation and found that major importing countries of Thailand's agricultural and food products have implemented food security measures by becoming more self-reliant, causing Thailand to adjust its plan to establish a clearer mechanism for developing agricultural and food systems, including preparing for food security in order to be in line with the global food situation, especially in the area of ??Halal food, which is a market that has a tendency to grow more and is an important opportunity for Thailand to participate. In this regard, data from the National Halal Industry Committee found that Thai Halal food exports in 2023 expanded by 4.0% to a value of 222,289 million baht, along with setting goals under the (draft) 4-year Thai Halal Industry Development Action Plan (2024-2027) which will elevate Thailand to become the Halal hub of ASEAN by 2027 and cause the GDP of the industrial se ctor to expand by 1.2%, worth 55,000 million baht, including setting target Halal products and services (in the first phase) covering 5 product groups: 1) Halal food such as meat and seafood; 2) Halal fashion such as textiles, gems, leather products; 3) Halal medicines, herbs, and cosmetics; 4) Cocoa and related products; and 5) Halal services and tourism. In addition, the government has set a framework for developing Thailand's halal product manufacturing industry to meet international standards and quality through the following 3 measures: 1) Promoting international trade and strengthening the Thai Halal production supply chain, including publicizing the potential of Thai Halal food products and services, expanding the market for Thai Halal food products and services domestically and internationally; 2) Developing Thai Halal industry production and standards, including developing prototype Thai Halal products, upgrading Thai Halal industry entrepreneurs for export; and 3) Upgrading the environment of th e Thai Halal industry, including establishing a Thai Halal Industry Center, creating a Halal Industry Intelligence Unit (Halal IU) as a database of in-depth reports and market analysis, developing the Thailand Halal Valley in the southern region to be the center of the country's Halal industry development, developing a Thai Halal product testing laboratory, and developing the skills of Thai Halal labor and personnel. 'The Prime Minister is confident in the potential of Thai Halal products and food, and has a vision that comes from analyzing the trend of the Halal food market, which has a continuous growth rate. Therefore, he places importance on driving the Thai Halal food industry to the international level, presenting Thai Halal food products to friendly countries, and pushing Thailand to become the Halal hub of ASEAN by 2027, as well as continuing to develop Thailand to be the world's food hub in order to push for opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs related to the food industry, stimulate the econ omy, create jobs, create careers, and distribute income for Thai people and the Thai economy,' said Mr. Chai. Source: Thai News Agency