Halal Across Borders: Brunei-Thailand Halal Industry Coop-eration and Development Futures
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14764/10.ASEAS-0145Keywords:
Brunei Darussalam, Thailand, Economic Diversification, Halal Governance, Halal Industry, Halal Certification and Accreditation, Thailand, Wawasan 2035Abstract
The global demand for halal products has surged in recent years, driven by heightened consumer awareness of halal-compliant hygiene, safety, and quality standards. In response, Brunei has prioritized halal industry development as part of its Wawasan 2035 economic diversification strategy. Despite introducing halal certification standards and seeking to extend its reach, Brunei has yet to achieve broader international recognition. Thailand, meanwhile, has announced its ambition to become an ASEAN halal hub by 2028. Although existing scholarship on the region has focused largely on Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, comparatively limited attention has been paid to emerging Brunei-Thailand halal industry cooperation. This article draws on 10 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with halal monitoring and enforcement authorities, diplomatic officials and industry actors from Brunei and Thailand. Interview data were thematically analysed and triangulated with policy documents and trade reports. The findings suggest that while Brunei’s halal certification regime functions as an important source of regulatory credibility, the absence of wider accreditation recognition continues to constrain market access and export scalability. Realizing the sector’s potential role in Wawasan 2035 depends not only on maintaining certification integrity, but also on strengthening international recognition, regulatory adaptability, and strategic branding. In doing so, the article contributes to debates on halal governance, regulatory authority, and the diversification strategies of small states in Southeast Asia.
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