HALAL INDUSTRY IN LAOS: 6 OPPORTUNITIES M R. P H O N E S AVA N H L AT M A N Y JAPAN ALUMNI OF LAOS (JAOL) AND CHALLENGES
Halal Industry in Laos PDR: Opportunities and Challenges Presented by: Phonesavanh Latmany Date: 09 Sep 2017
The Constitution of Lao PDR (1991) states that: All citizens have rights in education, health, land use and ownership, domicile of choice, and economic development regardless of sex, religion, social status, education, or ethnicity; as well as freedom of religion, freedom of speech; freedom to peacefully assemble and to protest.
History of Muslim people in Lao PDR According to the article by Yoginder Sikand (2008) on Hidden Beyond the Mekong: Muslims in Laos, some findings are: The first Muslims in Laos are said to have arrived in the early 20 th Century during the French colonization Most of them, single men, from South India and Bay of Bengal Later joined by Muslim people from Pakistan In the mid-1960s, Muslims estimated around 7000 people After mid-1980s, Cambodian Muslims arrived Recently, largest number of Muslims in Laos: Cambodian Muslims, Muslims from Pakistan, and Tamil-Muslims from India respectively Tamil-Muslims mostly engaged in cosmetics trades, importing goods from China, Vietnam and Thailand
Present number of Muslim people in Lao PDR Source: Population Census 2015
Today Muslim people living in Lao PDR Majority of Muslims are residing in the Capital City of Laos Muslims from different origins recently joined to set up the Muslims Association of Laos overseeing Muslims community affairs and liaising with the government Mosque in Vientiane Our relations with the Lao Government have always been very good and we face no problems at all in our religious affairs. The Lao people in general are very gentle and affectionate says President of the Association Source: Yokinder Sikand (2008) Hidden Beyond the Mekong: Muslims in Laos
Halal Industry in Laos Very small due to small size of Muslim population No Halal Committee to inspect and certify Food products are mainly imported Most of Vientiane's Muslims are businessmen, involved in the textile business, various branches of import-export, or in servicing their own community as butchers and restaurateurs.
Halal Food products Most Halal food products are imported from Thailand, Malaysia and India Vientiane Muslims often cross the border to buy Halal foodstuffs at Makro Stores in Thailand
Halal Restaurants Most of the Halal restaurants are found in Vientiane and a few restaurants in some major cities There s no different procedure to get the Halal restaurant established in terms of permit from the Government of Laos Restaurant owners must be Muslim and the Association guarantees Halal meats for commercial use are always bought in Thailand
Opportunities of Halal Industry in Laos No restriction on Halal food products available in the market (products with multiple labels allowed) Cattle farming on the rise and Halal meats perceived with high potential for export to neighboring countries Japanese company to invest USD 70 million in commercial cattle farming in Northern Laos throughout 30 yeas of concessional period As of now, 859 live cows including 250 dairy cows imported 40000 Tourism sector Number of tourist arrivals from selected countries 35000 30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 India Malaysia Indonesia Brunei 0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Challenges of Halal Industry in Laos Very small in size and demand, economy of scale No Halal Committee to certify any locally produced food products for commercial purpose In terms of tourism, what does Laos have to offer so Muslim tourists come back again
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