Bangkok--Apr 8--MFA
Thailand’s intervention by Mr. Charivat Santiputra, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, for Session on “Expanding Trade and Investment Partnerships between Asia and the Middle East,” the Second Ministerial Meeting of the Asia-Middle East Dialogue, Sharm El Sheikh, 5 April 2008
Currently, around 25 percent of the world population is Muslim, many of which are consumers with high purchasing power living in developed countries. And we have witnessed in the past few years that the number of Islam believers is fast growing. Therefore, Halal food industry is viewed as high growth potential industry. With Thailand’s abundant food and agricultural resources, we plan to develop Halal food industrial estate in Pattani, a province in the South of Thailand. Together with that, related infrastructure to support the estate will be developed. In this context, Thailand would like to invite investments in this project from our AMED friends.
Another issue that we would like to bring to your attention is that only 0.2% of food and agricultural products sold in Islamic markets are certified Halal. Thailand views that in the future, Halal food standards which are widely accepted must be developed. We view that such mutual standards of Asia and the Middle East will be most acceptable as these standards are accepted by majority of the Muslim population. The mutual Halal food standards not only will help reduce the chance of facing protectionism but also will increase consumers’ spiritual confidence that products are free from Najis. It is also another way to ensure food safety.
Regarding Halal food standards, Thailand, by the Halal Science Centre at Chulalongkorn University, has developed the Halal standards in accordance with existing health standards, such as HACCP. The Centre has trained workers in food industries to follow CODEX, and HACCP in production process. Laboratory examination to take account of materials in food products is also developed. Therefore, Thailand would like offer training for offiecers working in certifying and examining food standards for interested parties in AMED and to actively participate or even to lead the Core Group to draft a set of AMED Halal food standards.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-
Thailand’s intervention by Mr. Charivat Santiputra, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, for Session on “Expanding Trade and Investment Partnerships between Asia and the Middle East,” the Second Ministerial Meeting of the Asia-Middle East Dialogue, Sharm El Sheikh, 5 April 2008
Currently, around 25 percent of the world population is Muslim, many of which are consumers with high purchasing power living in developed countries. And we have witnessed in the past few years that the number of Islam believers is fast growing. Therefore, Halal food industry is viewed as high growth potential industry. With Thailand’s abundant food and agricultural resources, we plan to develop Halal food industrial estate in Pattani, a province in the South of Thailand. Together with that, related infrastructure to support the estate will be developed. In this context, Thailand would like to invite investments in this project from our AMED friends.
Another issue that we would like to bring to your attention is that only 0.2% of food and agricultural products sold in Islamic markets are certified Halal. Thailand views that in the future, Halal food standards which are widely accepted must be developed. We view that such mutual standards of Asia and the Middle East will be most acceptable as these standards are accepted by majority of the Muslim population. The mutual Halal food standards not only will help reduce the chance of facing protectionism but also will increase consumers’ spiritual confidence that products are free from Najis. It is also another way to ensure food safety.
Regarding Halal food standards, Thailand, by the Halal Science Centre at Chulalongkorn University, has developed the Halal standards in accordance with existing health standards, such as HACCP. The Centre has trained workers in food industries to follow CODEX, and HACCP in production process. Laboratory examination to take account of materials in food products is also developed. Therefore, Thailand would like offer training for offiecers working in certifying and examining food standards for interested parties in AMED and to actively participate or even to lead the Core Group to draft a set of AMED Halal food standards.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-