Thailand to bring Halal products to Qatar during 2022 World Cup

Bangkok (NNT/VNA) – Thailand's Ministry of Commerce is to enhance the potential of Halal product producers in the five southern provinces so that they are ready to enter the market in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup. 

Department of International Trade (DITP) Director-General Chantira Yimrewat Wiwatrat explained that the Halal market is sizable with close to 2 billion consumers worldwide, noting that Thailand has strong potential in terms of producing Halal goods.

She said that, while producers in the five southern provinces of Songkla, Satun, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat have good potential, most Halal exporters are still concentrated in Bangkok and its vicinity. The DITP has thus decided to support and develop producers in the five provinces, providing them with knowledge and understanding of exports, packaging, Halal standards, management, trade shows and business negotiations. 

Chosen brands will be included in trade shows so that they can make inroads into new foreign markets. Focus will be placed on Muslim majority countries with high purchasing power and international events with particular attention to be paid to Qatar, which is to host the 2022 World Cup. 

Chantira pointed out Thailand’s Halal production is well regarded in the Middle East and there is a good opportunity for producers to expand their markets, adding that while competition may be high, Qatar’s dependence on imports means there is still room for Thai businesses. 

Thai Halal product exports topped 5.63 billion USD last year, growing 11.73 percent and placing them among the Kingdom’s top five exports, which includes canned seafood, fishing goods, rice and canned fruits.-NNT/VNA