Thailand Eyes Share of Global Halal Economy Worth $3.65 Trillion
Thailand aims to capture a share of the $3.65 trillion global halal economy by integrating its strengths in agriculture, food, cosmetics, and tourism into a unified system backed by science and innovation.
Thailand should leverage its strengths across the entire halal supply chain and connect various components into a unified system to build standards and credibility for halal products, according to experts. Pornpimol Mahamat, director of Chulalongkorn University's Halal Science Center, stated that the global halal economy continues to expand, with Muslim consumer spending across six industries—halal food, fashion, tourism, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and media and entertainment—projected to reach approximately $3.56 trillion by 2029. This reflects broad economic opportunities in diverse goods and services where Thailand has substantial potential.
Thailand possesses relatively complete strengths throughout the halal value chain, including agriculture, food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, health products, fashion and textiles, as well as services and tourism. The country also has scientific and technological expertise and verification systems capable of building credibility for halal products. The critical next step is integrating these elements into a coordinated system, beginning with science as the knowledge foundation for analysis and testing, progressing to innovation for developing new raw materials, products, and processes, incorporating industrial applications, and finally connecting to markets to deliver consumer value and compete both domestically and internationally.
The Thailand Halal Assembly (THA) 2026, its 13th edition, will host the 19th Halal Science, Industry and Business (HASIB) Conference, an important forum for exchanging knowledge on halal science, technology, innovation, and industry. The event emphasizes the concept of Halal ResiliScience—combining resilience and science—to strengthen and build adaptive capacity within the halal system, with science, technology, and innovation as key drivers. Thailand Halal Assembly will focus on science, research, technology, and innovation, while Bangkok Halal Expo will serve as a marketplace for entrepreneurs, products, trade, and investment.
"When these two platforms come together, entrepreneurs can see which research or technologies can be applied to their products or production processes, while researchers can understand real-world challenges from industry and markets. Additionally, it creates opportunities for business matchmaking, international networking, and access to new markets for Thai entrepreneurs," Pornpimol said.
Surapol Utinthu, chief executive of Sirikit National Convention Center and managing director of N.C.C. Management and Development Company Limited, overseeing Bangkok Halal Expo 2026, noted that with Thailand possessing production capabilities, knowledge, science, innovation, and standards that build consumer confidence in goods and services, the next challenge is connecting these strengths to markets. Thai products and services must be prepared based on science and standards to enhance competitiveness and meet the varied requirements and standards of different countries.
Bangkok Halal Expo functions as a business platform linking Thai entrepreneurs, goods, services, and production capabilities with international and domestic buyers, importers, distributors, retailers, investors, and business partners. This year the event has set targets to expand.
