Over 350 companies from 22 countries will be participating at the annual Saudi food, hotel, hospitality & propac arabia show to be held in Jeddah from May 20-23, 2012, under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Agriculture and under the auspices of Engineer Hassan Sangoof, Director General, Ministry of Agriculture, Makkah Region.

Organised by Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions (ACE), the event – Saudi Arabia’s 17th international Event for Food, Beverages and Catering, Hotel Equipment, Supplies and Services – is set for opening at 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 20 at the JCCI-owned Jeddah Centre for Forums & Events.

“This is the leading event in the Kingdom’s food, hotel, hospitality, processing and packaging industries, with a successful track record of more than fifteen years,” Zahoor Siddique, Vice President for Exhibitions, ACE, said.

The show has established Jeddah as the hub of the food, hotel and hospitality sector, and the Kingdom as a national showcase and forum where worldwide suppliers present their products and services, he added.

The event, propac arabia – the Kingdom’s comprehensive showcase for the industry – runs concurrently and will display a diverse range of exhibitor profile covering the entire spectrum of this industry. This is Saudi Arabia’s 17th International Event for Production & Processing, Printing & Packaging, Plastics & Chemicals.

The dual event hosts an impressive list of national pavilions from China, Egypt, Indonesia, Taiwan, Turkey, USA and individual companies from Belgium, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Korea, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Singapore, Tunisia and UAE; and Saudi companies representing international brands.

The show incorporates TopChef & Art de Table, jointly organized by ACE and Saudi Arabian Chef Association, which will feature culinary skills of chefs from the finest hotels and restaurants and adjudicated by a panel of international experts.

“Art de table will be yet another attraction of impressive table displays by leading hotels and restaurants,” Zahoor Siddique added.

The shows also enjoy the support of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Islamic Center for Development of Trade with Royal Host as the Main Sponsor and Fakieh Group as the strategic sponsor.

The show runs daily from 5 -10 pm, 20-23 May, 2012.

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Universiti Sains Malaysia dean of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Prof Dr Syed Azhar Syed Sulaiman said the committee could ensure that the pharmaceutical industry in the country would be transparent and committed in responding to the needs of Muslim consumers who were sensitive over halal issue.

He said the committee could work closely with monitoring agencies such as the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) in finding ways to resolve the halal issue in the pharmaceutical industry.

“We should be ashamed of ourselves as the halal pharmaceutical industry in the country is still lagging behind that of non-Islamic countries like Thailand and Belgium,” he said.

He was when presenting a paper entitled ‘Halal Medicine in the Pharmaceutical Industry: Steps Towards Production and Empowerment’ at the ‘Halal Food Crisis: Towards a Solution’ seminar here, Wednesday.

– BERNAMA

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This high-profile event is co-organised by the Embassy of Malaysia and the Malaysia External Trade Development Co-operation (MATRADE) and will be graced by Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce and Industry. The event will feature exhibitions and seminars as well as business matchings on trade and investment opportunities between Malaysia and Oman, particularly in the area of Tourism, Healthcare, Halal Development, Property/Real Estate, Construction, ICT, Trade and Investments.

According to the Ambassador of Malaysia to the Sultanate of Oman, Dato Rustam Yahaya, “This will be a good opportunity for local businesses and entrepreneurs to network with their Malaysian counterparts and get insights and updates from the Honourable Minister himself about Malaysia and how it can co-operate with the Sultanate.”

From a country dependent on agriculture and primary commodities, Malaysia has today become an export-driven economy spurred by high technology, knowledge-based and capital-intensive industries. This is an ideal event to share knowledge and expertise as well as enhancing business and investment opportunities between the two countries.

Dato Rustam adds, “This is an event not to be missed. I would like to call upon everyone who is interested to explore various business opportunities with Malaysia in this single event. There are plenty to choose from Malaysia, especially when our products and services are well-known all around the globe for their superior quality and reliability. Malaysia is ranked as one of the leading exporters worldwide for semiconductors, medical devices, processed food, building materials, healthcare, education, information and communication technology (ICT) and engineering services.

“Malaysian services sector has grown from strength to strength and has achieved global recognition for several landmark projects. All these testify to the high level of confidence and trust that international businesses have in us.”

According to Nor Azmi Sulong, General Manager of the organising company of the event, Al Gaith International Exhibition Co LLC (GIE), “As a Malaysian, working here for the last seven years and managing an event management company in Oman, I can see many opportunities available for both countries.”

Key Malaysian government ministries and agencies will be represented at this event to give Omanis further insights on what Malaysia has to offer and answer any queries.

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Tony Alabastro

A Philippine Department of Trade and Industry delegation will be arriving in Brunei tonight for a four-day visit to promote the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) 2013, the Philippines’ most important trade centre for food, the Philippine Embassy said yesterday.

Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Nestor Z Ochoa said the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) is the biggest government-sponsored international food and beverage show in the Philippines, and the most preferred marketing venue for food exporters wishing to attract foreign and local buyers.

DTI’s Commercial Attache Alma Argayoso will lead the CITEM delegation, which will be meeting tomorrow, Monday, with the BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BEBC) Brunei Darussalam, National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Brunei Darussalam International Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Department of Economic cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Ministry of Primary Resources.

CITEM will also conduct a briefing tomorrow afternoon at the Philippine Embassy Chancery for local business representatives of companies engaged in seafood processing of prawn, muscle, cuttlefish and fish crackers, tapiocas, banana and potato chips, sesame biscuits, beef strips, chicken frankfurters with cheese, roast ribs, chili sauces, kueh cincin, kueh sapit, kueh mor, layered cakes, Brunei Halal products, canned goods, flour-based foods and spices, beef bakso, frozen and ready- made kelupis (sticky rice wrapped in pandan leaves), curry puff and steamed fruit cakes. Batik cakes, home-made pastries, different flavours of halal snow balls snack, and other processed food.

Relaunching itself as “Asia’s Ethnic Food and Ingredients Show”, IFEX will feature a bigger showcase of fresh, processed, Halal, and organic Asian food products, according to the Centre of International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), DTI’s export promotion arm.

“A main showcase, Halal Food Asia, exhibits Halal edibles and opens up the lucractive Halal food market worth US$632 market’s need. Over a billion Muslims live in Asia and it is where several centres for Halal standardisation, research, testing, production and international trade have emerged to cater to this market,” CITEM said.

CITEM said IFEX’s focus is on Asia and its importance as the world’s biggest source of tropical materials and as a rapidly growing market.

We have opted to defer the show in 2013 and make it biennial starting 2013, as we invite exhibitors from all across the region to join us and make this event an unmissable one for buyers, CITEM said.

Data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said that 42 per cent of the more than US$4 billion global trade of tropical fruits comes from Asia – a region expected to supply 69 per cent of the world’s mangoes, 46 per cent of pineapples, and 20 per cent of papayas by 2014. Asia also accounts for two-thirds of total current aquaculture production and hosts 85.6 per cent of the world’s fish farmers, CITEM said.

Tropical fruits and seafood are two of IFEX’s main product showcase. Power Fruits of Asia, presents Asia’s major fruit exports such as mangoes, pineapples and papayas; and Seafood Asia, highlights Asia’s various marine products. Another main showcase is Halal Food Asia.

The 2010 IFEX in Manila attracted over 400 local and foreign exhibitors from Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Turkey, and USA, and close to 3,000 trade buyers and visitors from North America, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, Northeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific, CITEM said.

It has become a main sourcing hub for international food retailers, including Wal-Mart (US), FBC Worldwide (US), Mon Chong Loong (US), Hirasho Shoten Health Co (Japan), Heuschen Schrouff (Germany), manning Impex (UK). Wilby Commercial (Canada), the Americana Group of companies (ME),the Al Maya Group of Companies (ME), Shankar (ME) and NTUC Fairprice (Singapore).

“My experience with IFEX was very unique in terms of flavours and tastes. Beyond the food, there were some very fascinating, touching, compelling and spiritual stories, that made that very good food even more memorable,” US journalist and gourmet chef Louisa Chu told CITEM.

“I think IFEX is the best show for people like us, the distributors, to come and see what markets can offer, to find people and talk to the people on what they can offer potential suppliers, I think there’s a great future for IFEX,” Maciek Szala, a buyer from Poland, told CITEM.

“IFEX has so many new innovative products, something they do not have anywhere else in the world,” Tatijana Maglutac, a buyer from Russia, told the organiser.

– brunei-online.com

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DUBAI: In line with company’s objective to promote the concept of Real Halal food globally, Al Islami has participated in the Sharia-compliant Bazaar set up under the banner of the 2nd edition of the Dubai International Peace Convention and Exhibition held on April 12 to April 14, 2012 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Peace Convention partnered with companies like Al Islami Foods, Emaar, Emirates, Lulu, Dar Al Ber Society, AW Rostamani, Emirates, Dubai Islamic Bank, ADCB Islamic Banking, Khansaheb, Dubai Media Inc., as well as independent sharia-compliant businesses such as, Al Madina Supermarket, Jaleel Distributors, Landmark Hotels, and several others.

Saleh Abdullah Lootah, Managing Director of Al Islami Foods, said: “Islam and Halal have such a wide implication on human beings that no other religion bears. These two systems are obligatory for Muslims, and a sheer benefit for non-Muslim fellow beings at the same time, according to several studies conducted so far. Halal meat is not only healthy but it is clean, safe and delicious. Alhamdulillah, Al Islami has a long legacy of producing Real Halal food.”

The event is conducted every two years. Year 2010 edition received 100,000 visitors during the three-day event. This year over 250,000 attended the Convention, Islamic Exhibition and Sharia compliant Bazaar. Guest speakers include world renowned Islamic scholars such as: Sheikh Mishary Rashid Al-Efasy, Dr. Zakir Naik, Sheikh Yusuf Estes along with other top speakers.

The Dubai International Peace Convention 2012 was officially opened  by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation. This is under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum honored the guests, along with the event’s sponsors. This convention has brought many guests from all over the world to convene in Dubai with one unified goal: to spread the true image of this religion and in the process cultivate world peace.

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K&N’s Foods (private) Limited, a leading name in poultry and meat products in Pakistan, is expected to market its products in the UAE by June. Brands in ?edible oil like Sufi Cooking Oil and Habib Oil, leading herbal trademark Qarshi and confectionery products leader Hilal, among others are also planning to enter the UAE food market this year.

“We are in talks with some leading groups and distributors to launch our brand in the UAE and we are confident to market our products by June,” Atiq R. Siddiqui, K&N’s head of exports, told Khaleej Times.

K&N’s Foods, which started its operation in 1964, is the first international brand in recent years, which has given permission to export frozen items to the UAE. The brand is considered a beacon for Pakistan’s poultry industry and its halal processed chicken, ready-to-cook and fully-cooked products are popular among domestic consumers.

“We have established the brand in Pakistan and now the company is ready to make a foray into the international market. The UAE will be the first international and regional market for K&N’s products,” Siddiqui said.

In reply to a question, he said Gulfood is a premier event for food industry. It is considered a good opportunity to interact with stakeholders to promote the brand and explore new business opportunities, he said.

“We showcased our products at Gulfood and received a good response from local businesses. We are in discussion with some leading names to launch our brand in the UAE market,” he said.

As many as 23 Pakistani companies in the food business attended the Gulfood exhibition in Dubai this year and displayed their full range of products in Pakistan pavilion. The exhibitors had fruitful meetings with the local importers and indenters and most of them are optimistic to launch their products at competitive price in the Gulf markets.

“Gulfood like yesteryears proved extremely effective to our endeavours to broaden food products exports from Pakistan. The exhibition can rightly be considered as Makkah of food industry,” Bilal Pasha, commercial counsellor at the Pakistan Embassy, told Khaleej Times.

Pasha said K&N’s Food is a premium poultry brand in Pakistan and is known for its best quality. “It has over the years gained strong foothold in Pakistani market and is now fully geared up to serve international clientele. It is the only poultry brand, which has received due regulatory permission from relevant UAE authorities,” he said.

“At Gulfood, our companies received serious enquiries and were also able to strike a few deals ranging from distribution of products to joint venture partners in the UAE and other regional countries,” he said.

To a question about the Pak brands’ entry into the UAE market, he confirmed that leading Pakistan brands in frozen meat, edible oil and herbal products are set to launch their operations in the emirate that will boost food business between the two countries.

He said different basmati rice brands from Pakistan are already well-entrenched in local market.

Jawed Ali Ghori, managing director, Matco Rice Processing (private) Limited, also plans to expand business in the UAE and other Gulf markets through an established base of his company in Dubai.

“We have recently launched Falak basmati rice in the UAE and received a positive feedback from the consumers. We will expand our operations in other GCC states from Dubai,” Ghori said.

Pasha said Pakistan is considered as food basket for the Gulf region. “There is immense potential for further food cooperation particularly in view of Gulf countries’ endeavour to have strategic food partners. From commodities to ready-to-eat food items, Pakistan’s food industry is poised to lead in UAE market,” he said.

Pasha said the volume of Pak exports to the UAE touched $1.8 billion in 2011 out of which food group exports were to the tune of $500 million. “There is, however enough room to expand keeping in view the UAE’s global food imports of more than $7 billion annually,” he said.

In reply to a question, he said some projects in food business are in the pipeline that will further strengthen the bilateral trade relations. “There are a few joint ventures ranging from farmland acquisition to joint production of commodities, fruits and vegetables and building of state-of-the-art food silos are in the pipeline,” Pasha said.

Asif Jabbar, director and group chief executive of Alif Investments, welcomed the entry of Pak brands into the UAE market.

“We have successfully launched many Pakistani brands including the Junaid Jamshed and Meat One. It is good to see that more Pakistani brands in food business are set to enter the local market,” he said and cautioned the new entrants about the stiff competition in the local market.

“The marketing of a new brand in the UAE is not an easy job amid competition from international and regional brands. One should be aware of marketing cost and other expenses in an international commercial city like Dubai to find place in the competitive market,” Jabbar concluded.

— muzaffarrizvi@khaleejtimes.com

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IP Bank was the key innovative outcome at the two-day World Halal Research Summit 2012 which ended today. International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said these intellectual properties referred to innovations and innovative ideas that have commercialisation potential and have been transformed into halal prototypes for global halal markets.

“HDC will manage all innovations retained with the IP Bank as this is the platform towards consolidating prototypes that are ready for commercialisation,” he told reporters after the closing ceremony today.

In support of innovations, HDC also organised a WHR Innovation Exhibition in collaboration with Agensi Inovasi Malaysia for purposes of showcasing the product prototypes for the halal industry at the summit.

The exhibition which focussed on 37 product prototypes, identified for commercialisation and ready to be pitched to the business, investors and entrepreneurial sectors, will be reposited in the IP Bank and can be viewed at the HDC web portals.

– BERNAMA

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France’s halal market, now estimated at 5.5 billion euros with about 10 percent annual growth, became a political issue in recent weeks as President Nicolas Sarkozy used it in an unabashed pitch for votes from the anti-immigrant far-right.

The raw facts about halal butchering became a top issue on the election campaign trail, to the point that Sarkozy’s prime minister, Francois Fillon, said halal and kosher slaughter were outdated “ancestral traditions” that should be scrapped.

That hit a raw nerve in France’s Muslim and Jewish communities – both the largest of their kind in Europe – whose leaders complained openly. The issue has since mostly faded from the campaign for the two-round presidential election, which ends on May 6.

“It was a lot of noise for nothing,” said Aissa Osmane, who sells sharia-compliant spaghetti sauces with halal beef in the bolognese and smoked poultry cubes for bacon in the carbonara.

The halal market can only grow as the 5-million strong Muslim community further integrates into French life, said the businessman from the Paris suburb of Villetaneuse.

“Muslims live in today’s world like everybody else, they’re busy and want ready-made foods,” he said.

“The politicians are just looking for votes,” said Rached Abssi, sales director for the Kenza Halal processed meat company in the same northern Paris suburb. “We’re just an excuse for them not to talk about the financial crisis.”

POLITICAL POLEMICS

Marine Le Pen, head of the anti-immigrant National Front party, launched the verbal food fight in February when she said all meat sold in the Paris region was halal, and accused Sarkozy of bowing to Muslim pressure to allow this.

While this was an exaggeration, the debate revealed that abattoirs in the Paris region slaughtered animals exclusively the halal way – without stunning them before slitting their throats – but didn’t always mark meat as halal if it were sold to non-Muslim shops.

Slaughterhouses said it was too costly to operate two methods of slaughter. Sarkozy suggested clearly marking the slaughter method on all meat, but backed down after industry leaders impressed on him that this would increase costs.

Several producers at the fair said Muslims in Europe had long had fresh halal meat from Islamic butchers, but used to have nowhere near as many prepared foods as now.

“The market is playing catch-up to the demand,” said Dawood Ali, director of Gem Foods in Coventry, England. “It’s getting bigger because people are now trying to meet that demand.”

Asked when supply would meet demand, Ali said: “We’re halfway there.” Abssi gave the same estimate.

A quick tour around the few dozen stands at one end of a larger food industry fair here showed foreign producers saw France as a major market.

Halal foods on display included Dutch, Danish and Turkish meats, Belgian yoghurt, British baby food, Indonesian nasi goreng, Malaysian sweet and sour sauce, alcohol-free champagne from Belgium and Austria, and a whisky-flavoured malt drink from the United States.

FRENCH MUSLIMS WITH FRENCH TASTES

“There’s more variety and openness to new foods here,” said Ali, who displayed everything from ready-made dinners to baby food and chocolate-covered dates. “French Muslims are very into cuisine and see it as an art. In the U.K., they’re more closed.”

The taste for local cuisine among French Muslims, many of whom were born here and eat more sandwiches and pasta than couscous or tajine, has also prompted some French producers of non-meat products to get halal certification for them.

Gilles Amand, a caterer from Morlaix in Brittany, displayed a variety of fish-and-vegetable terrines that he had been selling for several years before getting a halal certificate to reassure Muslim clients.

All fish are halal, or permissible, by nature, but Muslims here shy away from unmarked fish terrines because there could be gelatin made from pork in it. Amand said the certificate proved his terrines only had vegetable-based gelatin in them.

“This reassures them about the quality,” he said.

Source: Reuters

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The 7th World Halal Forum (WHF) started on 2 April with Deputy Prime Minister, YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Hj Mohd Yassin officially launching the annual forum at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

The two-day forum attracted the participation of 720 delegates and over 35 speakers. With participants and speakers from over 36 countries, WHF 2012 provides a stirring platform for a stimulating discussion on the USD800 billion worth Halal industry.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Hj Mohd Yassin, in his keynote address, praised the World Halal Forum for its efforts in emphasizing on a universal appeal on Halal principles and for leveraging on creative channels like the arts, media and entertainment in spreading good values.

“The success of a system is not just about numbers but also about whether it could improve the quality of life and about good values,” said Tan Sri Muhyiddin in his keynote address, officially marking the opening of WHF.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin also stated that the new generation of Muslim youths are asking for more value out of Halal and not just mere compliance to its standards.

Established in 2006, WHF has since become part of the Malaysian government’s 15-year plan to become the world’s Halal hub. With this year’s theme “INSPIRE, INNOVATE, INVEST”, WHF 2012 goes beyond its usual exploration of business perspectives and reached out towards the grassroots with its primary focus on consumer issues, as well as helping the industry’s understanding on its beneficial values, to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

The annual gathering of industry captains showcases contemporary speakers such as Advertising, Branding and Marketing expert from the United Kingdom, Jonathan Bilal Wilson; author of UK bestseller “Unimagined”, Imran Ahmad and Graphic Designer and Artist, Peter Gould from Australia. They shared their views on challenges related to consumer issues as well as promoting key messages of universal values via various communication channels.

“For 2012, we want to leverage on all our past achievements and cultivate a universal Halal lifestyle that transcends religion, race, culture and location,” said Hajjah Jumaatun Azmi, the Founder-Director of the forum. “We also believe in the power of the music and arts to spread universal ideas and channel positive, wholesome values.”

She stated that the Halal industry is steadily evolving towards a more holistic values-based direction making the concept of Halal applicable to everyone.

WHF, which became a non-profit entity in 2011 and hosted by the International Halal Integrity Alliance (IHI Alliance), also emphasized that all parties including small and medium-sized entrepreneurs (SMEs) should seize lucrative potentials and use the forum as a platform to explore new strategies in the booming Halal market globally.

“What is certain now is that, the Muslim world’s population is currently increasing. The Muslim population as at year 2010 is estimated at 1.6 billion. Naturally, the expansion of the Halal market is inevitable,” said Darhim Hashim, CEO of IHI Alliance.

Acknowledging the many challenges in ensuring global Halal integrity, he stated that the solution was the formulation of a set of International Halal Standards which will serve as a benchmark to the Halal industry.

“The Alignment of Halal Certification practice should be in place to ensure Halal integrity globally,” he added.

WHF 2012 also showcased at its display area a new retail arm, Rumi and Kohl and its vast collection of jewellery and ethnic furnishings; “Rezeki”, a new publication which aims to convey universal ideas and concepts to young, urban entrepreneurs and “99″, the critically acclaimed comic book series by Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, which features the world’s first superheroes based on Islamic culture, values and society.

WHF 2012, with the Platinum sponsor being the Malaysian chapter of Turkish ice cream brand “Mado”, concluded on a high note with the resolution to pave the way towards a future where good values and noble principles are shared universally, achieving a complete, holistic and Halal lifestyle for all. Other sponsors include Nestle Malaysia, Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad (CCM), Fonterra Malaysia, Bank Rakyat, Prince Court Medical Centre, Tanjung Manis Halal Hub, Penang International Halal Hub and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

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This is the 5th edition of the annual event, hosted by Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC), custodian for the development of the local halal industry since 2006.

This year, the event has attracted delegates from 24 countries and a great section of the audience will comprise research and development communities from universities, academicians, business and industry players representing both food and non-food sectors.

Twelve speakers both local and international will deliver presentation papers on a wide array of innovation-related topics and issues that will affect and positively impact the halal industry.

Industry players will be encouraged to seize the opportunity to business match with prototype products that are presented and exhibited during the WHR Innovation Exhibition, collaboration between HDC and Agensi Innovasi Malaysia alongside the two-day conference. Thirteen universities and research companies will be showcasing their prototypes in the exhibition.

Highlights of this year’s event include a special announcement of this year’s recipient of the Halal Science Award, to be made during the event’s Gala dinner as well as the announcement of winners of the Poster Presentation in Halal Science and Innovation Excellence 2012, a programme that drew the participation of nine local and international universities.

“Through business matching, interested halal companies or venture capitalists will be brought closer to the mainstream innovation process.

“HDC will set up certain criteria to enable new interested companies to take up and transform new identifiable technologies under HDC’s Business Transformation Programme into a profitable source of income,” said Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin, chief executive of HDC on the expected outcome of the exhibition.

Four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) will be inked for the attainment of synergistic halal development objectives during the two-day summit. The first MoU will be signed with KFC Holdings and KFC Education.

The KFC-HDC arrangement signifies the start of collaborative activities between HDC and KFC Holdings and KFC Education to ensure growth and development of halal education programmes and halal industry development in general.

The second MoU will be signed between Halal Products Research Institute (HPRI) of University Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Agilent technologies for identifying the need of porcine-gelatin in processed and finished food, using Agilent’s own analytical instrumentation known as the Agilent 6490 Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry system. Agilent will also provide competency training through a formalised research assistantship.

A MoU will also be inked during the Gala dinner between HPRI (UPM) and MIFF Group Marketing, which covers the area of research, product development and safety testing of “CLAYMIFF” products.

These include ‘samak’ clay powder, an industrial cleansing product that is graded under both food and pharmaceutical categories. It is also classified under universal oil cleanser and personal care, as soap ‘samak’ and deodoriser which are products that will be soon in the market.

MIFF Marketing (M) Sdn Bhd was established in 2006 and provides Islamic cleaning services and the manufacture of Islamic cleansing products to shipping lines, machinery, storage facilities and factories. The company also provides cleaning services for kitchen, equipment and storage areas in hotels and restaurants according to shariah and halal requirements.

The fourth MoU is between TPM Biotech Sdn Bhd and Perkin Elmer, which aims to establish halal analysis using the Perkin Elmer technology. The collaboration will see to the setting up of validation methods of halal analysis (fatty acid, triglyeride and polypeptide) using Perkin Elmer. It is designed to validate Porcine Detection Kits too.

The Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Mukhriz Tun Mahathir will be delivering the welcome remarks at the summit on the first day.

Former Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, will grace the Gala dinner and present the Halal Science Award to its 2012 recipient, as well as the prizes to the winners of the Poster Presentation.

Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohammed will be present at the dinner. He will also officially close both the WHR 20112 and WHR Innovation Exhibition on the second day.

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