On 14 July 2026, H.E. Mr. Bancha Yuenyongchongcharoen, Ambassador of Thailand to Mozambique, accompanied by Mr. Yahya Wongkanya, First Secretary of the Royal Thai Embassy in Maputo, led a delegation from the Mozambique Halal Commission (MHC) and representatives of the Mozambican Muslim Association of Entrepreneurs and Business Owners (AMEEM) to attend a working dinner with the Thailand–Mozambique Trade Association (TMTA), led by Ms. Pannpilai Baiyoke, Honorary Advisor to the Association. The meeting aimed to promote cooperation in halal trade, investment, and industry between Thailand and Mozambique under the Thai Government's Thailand–Africa Initiative (TAI).

 

Ambassador Bancha welcomed and expressed his appreciation to the Thailand–Mozambique Trade Association and Thai entrepreneurs in Mozambique for their continued contribution to strengthening economic relations between Thailand and Mozambique. He also welcomed the Mozambican delegation, which is visiting Thailand at the invitation of the Royal Thai Embassy in Maputo to participate in MEGA HALAL Bangkok 2026 and Grand Halal Bangkok 2026, as well as to undertake study visits on halal standards, halal food production, retail, and medical and wellness tourism. These activities are expected to lay a solid foundation for long-term cooperation in the halal industry between the two countries.

 

During the meeting, the Ambassador highlighted Thailand's position as one of the world's trusted producers of halal products. Thailand currently has more than 200,000 certified halal products, covering food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and related services. Between January and October 2025, Thailand exported halal food products worth more than USD 4.87 billion to member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), reflecting the country's ambition to become one of the world's top five halal food exporters under its "Kitchen of the World" policy.

 

The Embassy also presented the potential of the Mozambican market, where Muslims account for more than one-quarter of the country's population. Mozambique also serves as a strategic gateway to Southern Africa through the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional market of more than 390 million consumers. Thailand stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Mozambique in halal standards, food processing, healthcare, and Muslim-friendly tourism, thereby creating new opportunities for trade and investment between the two countries.

The discussions were held in a constructive atmosphere, with Thai and Mozambican business representatives exchanging views on market opportunities, logistics routes and suitable ports for importing Thai products, as well as products with strong market potential in Mozambique, including halal food, processed food, health products, cosmetics, and consumer goods. Participants also explored ways to strengthen business networks and facilitate business matching between entrepreneurs from both countries.

 

The visit of the Mozambican delegation to Thailand marks another important milestone under the Thailand–Africa Initiative (TAI), which seeks to enhance economic, trade, and investment cooperation between Thailand and African countries. The Royal Thai Embassy in Maputo remains committed to serving as a bridge between the public and private sectors to promote practical, mutually beneficial, and sustainable cooperation.

This project is funded by the Department of International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and forms part of the Thailand–Africa Initiative (TAI) to promote cooperation in the halal trade and industry between Thailand and African countries.