The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand
(IEAT) has opened a one-stop service centre at Pattani’s Halal Food
Industrial Estate to attract private investment to the southern
province, says Industry Minister Charnchai Chairungruang.
The 82.84-million-baht centre opened on Monday and will administer
the Halal-GMP/HACCP standard, promote businesses and provide marketing
and various other services, he said.
A budget of 4.7 billion baht has recently been approved for the
industrial estate for 2010-14, said the Industry Ministry deputy
permanent secretary, Nattapon Nattasomboon.
The 170-rai estate in the Panare district was started at the end of
2003, but progress stalled because firms were put off by the area’s
instability.
After seven years, a quarter of the estate has been built. Small and
medium-sized businesses are the initial focus with 40 rai allocated,
said IEAT governor Monta Pranootnarapal.
The main targets are freezer and food processing industries, she
said.
Investors will receive an exemption from 80% of income tax along with
tax deductions for transport, electricity and water expenses for five
years.
Thailand has 3 million Muslims, about 5% of its population, but the
country’s halal exports supply only 1% of the global halal food market
worth US$150 billion, said Mr Charnchai.
Creating 5,000 to 10,000 new jobs should also raise incomes in the
area and reduce tensions, he added.
