OIC, Thailand to cooperate on Halal food exports, public health

BANGKOK, January 12 (TNA) - The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Thailand have agreed to expand their cooperation on Halal food exports and public health. The agreement was reached in Bangkok on January 12 during a meeting between visiting OIC Secretary-General Iyad Ameen Madani and Thai Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Veerasak Futrakul. Both sides agreed on enhancing their sound relations and cooperation on boosting Thailand's exports of Halal food products to OIC member economies, as well as on public health, especially on the production of vaccines, and on the promotion of health tourism between Thailand and OIC member countries. The OIC secretary-general is paying a four-day official visit to Thailand, ending on January 13, to attend the Symposium on Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence in Multicultural Societies, jointly organised by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the OIC's Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA). During his visit to Thailand, the OIC chief is also scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha, the Thai Islamic Chief, or the Chularajmontri of Thailand, and high-ranking officials. (TNA)