Thailand targets up to 80 per cent trade growth with GCC by 2012

Thailand is targeting to
increase its trade with the GCC by 60 to 80 per cent within the next
three years, as part of the government’s ‘Look East Policy’, thereby
spurring 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 – 12, 2009 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 has seen a 56 per cent or USD 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 7 Thailand-based companies are
participating at this year’s ‘Halal Expo’. The organiser has expanded
the venue to 2,600 sq. metres 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.
“We are confident that this event will further drive this commitment by
catalysing dialogues between the region’s high potential buyers and
global Halal traders, which will hopefully lead to major purchases and
sharing of technological advances that will further fuel the market’s
development.”

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. In addition to
global companies who have confirmed their presence at the event,
several regional and international Halal Certification Authorities,
Chambers of Commerce, and International Halal Associations are also
gearing up for a bigger participation this year.

“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. We have been consistent
in our commitment to provide a suitable platform for global exporters
such as Thailand to market their Halal products in the region, and this
year, we have intensified our efforts to expand the opportunities
within the event. We are confident that this year’s expo will produce
astounding results exhibitors and visitors alike,” concluded Ahmed.