THAILAND is well placed to become one of the world's top five suppliers of halal products by 2020, given the greater access and growing opportunities in Muslim markets.
At a seminar titled "Thailand: World's Best Choice", the Commerce Ministry announced its plan to boost the export of halal foods and measures supporting the growth of halal businesses, in order to serve the expanding Muslim populations across the globe. Permanent secretary Chutima Boonyapraphasara said Muslims made up 27 per cent of the world population, or 1.7 billion people, currently consuming an estimated US$265 billion (Bt9.5 trillion) worth of halal foods a year.