Daily News,
Tuesday 02 February, 2010

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.