Brunei Darussalam and Thailand propose to promote each other’s halal food industry. Thailand is good at farm products and Halal science while Brunei wants to develop a Halal Industry Centre and 
promote their halal standard. The matter was discussed during a meeting between the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yahya and Thailand Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul in Bangkok. Yang Berhormat Pehin is on a six-day official visit to Thailand.
Thailand Foreign Minister noted that both countries should join forces and Brunei Darussalam could use Thailand as a base of its export-oriented production. Mr Surapong also said Thailand could share expertise in agriculture including paddy cultivation, fishery and chicken farming that interest Brunei. In the meantime, Yang Berhormat hopes Brunei Darussalam will import more Thai fragrant rice that is popular among Bruneians. Yang Berhormat said Brunei Darussalam was trying to promote the production of its indigenous rice called “Laila” but Thai fragrant rice was very popular in Brunei. Yang Berhormat also said Brunei Darussalam wanted to learn about rice cultivation technology and processed rice products from Thailand. Brunei Darussalam is the ninth largest Southeast Asian trade partner of Thailand. The value of trade between Thailand and Brunei Darussalam last year was estimated at 269 million US dollars. Thai exports to Brunei include rice, transformers and parts, cement, ceramics, rubber products and paper. The products that Thailand imports from Brunei include oil and other products. Today, the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources attends the opening ceremony of the 2012 World of Halal fair at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Center.
