News From : DagangHalal.com (27 Oct 2009)
Thailand is targeting a 60 to 80 per cent trade growth with the GCC by 2012, as part of the government’s ‘Look East Policy’.
The policy has spurred a region-wide campaign that involves a showcase of the country’s high quality products within the most important trade events and exhibitions.
As part of this regional initiative, Thai exporters are gearing up for an extensive participation at the upcoming ‘Halal Expo 2009’, which will run from November 10 to 12, at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, under the support of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
In addition to highlighting their top-quality products, the Thai delegation will also focus on expanding their regional network and laying the groundwork for the establishment of a trading and distribution hub in Dubai.
In 2008, Thailand saw a 56 per cent or $37 billion growth in its trade with Muslim countries – the majority of which are in the Middle East – as a result of the government’s efforts to step up its production of Halal products under its economic reforms program – ‘Look East Policy’.
With a focus on securing more business deals with regional customers, more than seven Thailand-based companies are participating at this year’s ‘Halal Expo’. The organiser has expanded the venue to 2,600 sqm in order to accommodate the 7,000 to 8,000 trade visitors.
“Our commitment towards offering countries around the world an effective platform to showcase their top-notch Halal products and the technologies they use to produce them is in line with our aim to help diversify the region’s economy by promoting the growth of the Halal trade,” said Nafees Ahmed, project manager, Orange Fairs and Events.
Set to welcome over 200 brands from 34 countries within its three-day run, ‘Halal Expo 2009’ primarily aims to provide a platform for global organisations to showcase their products and services, while giving them an opportunity to participate in high impact discussions on regulations and options into modernising this industry.
“The GCC markets have more opportunities to expand because they are higher-income markets, and we believe that Thailand-made Halal products hold much potential among regional consumers,” concluded Ahmed.-TradeArabia News Service