The government plans to spend up to 8 billion baht to improve the quality of halal food and on its promotion for the export market, says newly appointed Industry Minister Atchaka Sibunruang.
The aim is to make Thailand among the top five exporters of halal food, according to Mrs Atchaka, who was elevated from her previous position as permanent secretary of the Industry Ministry by royal endorsement yesterday.
With strong promotion, Thailand's halal food exports are forecast to grow by 5% to US$6.1 billion this year.
The global halal food market is valued at an estimated $1.1 trillion annually, and Thailand ranks 13th among halal-exporting countries.
The ministry has set a five-year plan (2016-20) to improve not only the quality of the food, but also the logistics in order to become a major exporter.
"The government wants Thailand to become a major exporter of halal food within the next five years," Mrs Atchaka said.
She said several markets hold promise for Thai halal food, with more than 1.7 billion Muslims worldwide and the Muslim population expected to rise to 2.8 billion by 2050.
The Industry Ministry has been doing its part to support the sale of halal food for years in Thailand and overseas.
The ministry's latest plan is to promote three Muslim-majority southern provinces -- Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat -- as a hub for halal food in the region.
"The halal food industry is one of 11 targeted products that the government is focused on and trying to promote," Mrs Atchaka said. "It is because selling halal food is not just selling the food, but it means expanding the demand for logistics and other related industries."
The government will continue to lend support regarding know-how and technology to private investors, helping them create new products so they can compete in the global market with other countries in Asean, especially Indonesia and Malaysia, she said.