Thailand’s National Food Institute (NFI) revealed that the foodindustry is not much affected by the political disturbance and isstepping up its quality for the advent of the ASEAN Economic Communityin 2015.

The NFI explained that food isessential consumable goods for both domestic and internationalconsumers; therefore, it is not affected by such an indirect factor aspolitical turmoil. However, an impact might be seen in the Government'sagreements made with foreign countries. It said someGovernment-to-Government deals on food sales can be delayed or put onhold due to House dissolution.

Meanwhile, the NFIshowcased its 2013 top projects which include the “Kitchen of theWorld” food industry development programme, food processing promotion toadd economic value, and a project to promote and develop the nation'sHalal food to win international recognition. The nation is able toexport 100 more items of food under the Halal promotional scheme thisyear.

In 2014, the institute has plans to lift morethan 500 food factories to the international level, and develop 3,700workers for the expansion of the industry in the AEC to be opened in2015.

The NFI stated that the preparations wereessential as the AEC, though providing a channel to expand the Thaifood industry to Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Vietnam, would also comewith more intense competitions.-VNA