Thailand Establishes Halal Economic Corridor To Revitalize Economy

The Halal Economic Corridor (HEC), an initiative by the Thai government, is set to bring about significant improvements in the lives of the people residing in the southern regions of Thailand, according to Rear Adm Somkiat Ponprayoon, a high-ranking official overseeing the project. The HEC is aimed at transforming Thailand into a global center for halal products, thereby stimulating economic growth and enhancing the living standards of the local population.

Rear Adm Somkiat Ponprayoon recently shared these insights during a meeting with ambassadors and representatives from 11 Islamic nations. The meeting was part of a tour organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, as well as his office in Yala. The tour aimed to provide insights into the security, Thai culture, and developmental initiatives in the region.

The HEC project is focused on the southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Satun, along with four districts of Songkhla — Na Thawi, Saba Yoi, Chana, and Thepa. The products and services from these regions will adhere to Islamic principles, making these provinces the ideal hub for the HEC. The choice of these provinces is also influenced by their historical trade connections with the Arab world and the fact that 80% of the population are Thai-Muslims, who naturally understand and practice Halal.

The HEC is expected to connect the world to these areas, thereby fostering local economic development and improving the lives of the local people. The southern border provinces have a strong history of manufacturing processed seafood, all of which is halal-certified and exported to Europe and the Middle East. The initiative also encourages locals to produce halal meat (beef, chicken, and goat) for export to the Islamic world.

In addition to promoting halal meat production, the initiative encourages the practice of halal tourism and wellness to cater to tourists from Muslim countries. Many hospitals and hotels are starting to practice halal, and research is being conducted on how to create halal spas to serve Muslim tourists.

The HEC initiative is not just about having halal symbols; it’s about ensuring the entire process — from farm gate to delivery — is safe under Islamic principles. Therefore, entrepreneurs must be knowledgeable in halal to ensure consumer safety. A halal economic corridor must have many components such as knowledge and certificates in the production process to ensure everything is right.

Halal food and service entrepreneurs can obtain halal certification through two agencies – the Central Islamic Council of Thailand (CICOT) and Provincial Islamic Council (PIC) in these five southern border provinces. The HEC also aims to connect with foreign investors from various places, and discussions have been held with halal investors from Asean and the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, who are interested in investing in the project.