BANGKOK, 15 July 2013 The Department of Industrial Promotion (DIP) is pushing ahead with plans to develop Thailand into a food industrial center in the ASEAN region.
DIP chief Sophon Pholprasit said that the Thailand Food Valley project, which is a collaborative effort between the Industry Ministry, Science and Technology Ministry and the Agriculture and Cooperatives, is progressing well with assistance from the public and private sectors in a bid to enhance research and development, and logistics.
So far, 120 processed food businesses have partaken in the project and 230 more will be enlisted by 2014, he said
The department is aiming to launch the initiative in three pilot provinces in the North, Northeast and South. Chiang Mai is poised to become a hub for processed fruit and vegetables, while Nakhon Ratchasima will focus on meat production, whereas Prachuab Kirikhan is slated to be the center for fishery, pineapple and coconut products.
The three ministries signed a memorandum of understanding in September 2012 on “Thailand Food Valley.” The MOU aims to enhance Thailand’s competitiveness in the processed food industry.
The Thailand Food Valley is modeled after an initiative of the Netherlands, which has developed innovative products in response to the market demand.
