The government has introduced the Halal Economic Corridor (HEC) in the southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Satun, as well as districts of Songkhla, to enhance the local economy and improve the livelihoods of residents. The initiative aims to establish Thailand as a global hub for halal goods, catering to Islamic principles.
Spearheading the project, Rear Adm Somkiat Ponprayoon, Secretary-General of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC), said the region’s historical trade connections with the Arab World and its significant Muslim population make it an ideal candidate for the halal corridor. With a total of around 1.6 billion Muslims across the member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the corridor seeks to tap into this vast market and promote economic growth.
One of the main objectives of the HEC is to promote the production and export of halal meat, including beef, chicken and goat, to Islamic countries. To achieve this, the SBPAC is collaborating with partners such as the Livestock Department, National Farmer Councils and various cow breeding associations to encourage over 10,000 farmers in the five provinces to participate in the halal meat production campaign.
Beyond meat exports, the HEC also aims to attract halal-friendly tourism and wellness activities. Local hospitals, hotels and spas are being encouraged to adopt halal practices catering to Muslim tourists from across the globe.
Additionally, the SBPAC is collaborating with various universities, including the Prince of Songkla University Halal Institute, Fatoni University in Pattani, Rajabhat University Yala, and the Halal Institute of Chulalongkorn University, to educate people on halal knowledge and ensure the safety of halal products from local entrepreneurs.
Rear Adm Somkiat added that Thailand has already engaged in discussions with halal investors from the ASEAN region and the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, who have expressed interest in investing in the HEC.
Prospective investors said they were keen to understand the production process and ensure compliance with Islamic principles, emphasizing the importance of knowledge and certification in the halal economic corridor. (NNT)
