DUBAI, 5 August 2007 — The United Arab Emirates has approved imports of halal cooked chicken products from Thailand, which now hopes to export $104 million worth of chicken to the Middle East next year, Thai media reports said yesterday.
The UAE’s approval of 24 chicken slaughter houses and 36 chicken processing factories in Thailand followed a recent visit by UAE municipal council officials to inspect food production processes that are in accordance with Islamic law, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thira Sutabutr told the Thai News Agency (TNA).
“The UAE also certified the quality of Thai cooked chicken products to be exported to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries including Saudi Arabia,” TNA said. Following the UAE approval, Thailand’s cooked chicken exports to GCC countries is expected to reach 10,000 tons worth $21 million in value this year.
