RIYADH, 25 August 2004 — Thailand will organize a halal food exhibition and food festival in Riyadh next month. Senior officials of the Food Development Institute of the Bangkok-based Kasetsart University will take part, according to Rasmee Chittham, minister counsellor at the Thai Embassy.
Chittham said an exclusive halal food production zone has been set up in Thailand’s Muslim-dominated southern province of Pattani from where halal food, especially meat and meat products, will be sourced for export to the Middle East.
The move is in line with Bangkok’s strategy to improve the economic conditions in Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala, the three Muslim-majority provinces in the south of the country.
The economic plan also calls for improvements in infrastructure including electrification of remote villages, road construction and job creation in the impoverished region. Plans are also under way to set up a number of other industries.
Chittham said more than 250 guests including senior Saudi officials, businessmen and diplomats have been invited to the Faisaliyah Hotel to attend the twin event.
A Thai food festival will run cuncurrently with the exhibition from Sept. 15 to 19.
Chittham said Thailand has been a traditional exporter of tuna, canned fruit and frozen shrimp to Saudi Arabia.
Two-way trade exceeds $2.1 billion annually, tilted heavily in favor of the Kingdom with exports worth $1.6 billion.
