Thailand reveals 'halal' hub plans

Tue, 25 Jan 2005 | Source: DPA

BANGKOK: In a bid to increase its share of the world's US$80- billion halal food market, Thailand will next year launch its first industrial estate for halal food production in the southern province of Pattani, a senior minister said on Monday.

Thai Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak revealed Thailand's halal ambitions in an opening address to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Task Force on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) being hosted by Bangkok from Monday to Wednesday.

Thailand, a predominantly Buddhist country, has been an observer member of the OIC since 1998. The OIC includes 57 Islamic countries.

Thailand's three southernmost provinces - Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala - have majority Muslim populations and therefore are at the center of Thailand's halal food ambitions, Somkid said. -- DPA

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