News From : DagangHalal.com (20 Sep 2010)
BANGKOK, Sept 20 (Bernama) — The Malaysia Islamic Chamber of Commerce (MICC) wants to strengthen its trade ties with Thailand, specifically in the industry of halal products manufacturing and services.
Its Deputy President, Tan Sri Muhammmad Ali Hashim said its move was in the right direction, considering the tremendous opportunities available for exploration between the business communities of Malaysia and Thailand.
Relating to his discussions earlier Monday morning with Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Dr. Trairong Suwankiri and Vice Chairman of Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade, Somkiat Anuras, he said there were five areas Malaysians could venture into – trade, investments, logistics, halal industry and tourism.
The Thai government in currently promoting the five sectors through its Five Policies Forum involving five states of northern Peninsular Malaysia and five states from southern Thailand.
“The Thai government has invited MICC to also join in exploring the business opportunities in the five sectors in southern Thailand. It would be timely to grab this opportunity as the potential is huge,” he told journalists from Bernama and Utusan Malaysia following a luncheon hosted by Thai King’s Private Principal Secretary, Arsa Sarasin, here Monday.
Muhammad Ali is heading the 12-member delegation, comprising MICC members, on a three-day visit to Thailand organised by the Thailand Embassy in Malaysia.
The mission is aimed at giving the delegates first hand information on business opportunities available here apart from gaining their confidence in Thailand’s economy following a downturn last year.
The five states from Malaysia covered under the Five Policies Forum are Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Pulau Pinang and Kelantan while the five regions from southern Thailand are Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Satun.
Muhammad Ali said, for a start, Thailand has invited MICC to participate in the Five Policies Forum which will be held in Songkhla for three days beginning this Thursday.
“We will be participating in the forum as it would give us clear information on the business opportunities that our entrepreneurs can partake in. Among the areas I see with big potential is food and livestock.
“As an example, KFC Holdings (Malaysia) Bhd currently imports raw products from Thailand including chicken. I believe we can enter this industry in Thailand through joint, win-win operations,” he said.
He, however, admitted that there were several obstacles in the way such as the issue of majority shareholder of a company.
“I am confident this issue can be overcome through good relations between the Malaysian and Thai governments.”
Meanwhile, Thailand’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Thana Duangratana said the Thai government was ready to help Malaysian entrepreneurs to invest in their country.
He said the strong cooperation between Malaysian and Thailand’s entrepreneurs would form a business network that would be strong not only for the domestic market but also globally.
Thailand is advanced in its agriculture sector while Malaysia has the expertise in marketing and business networking.
“We have prepared several incentives and facilities to attract more investors from Malaysia to Thailand – among them being tax incentives and easier land ownership,” he said.
On Tuesday, the delegates will be visiting the Institute Standard Halal Thailand and the Halal Science Centre in Universiti Chulalongkorn.
— BERNAMA