Korea: High-level Halal Personnel to Meet for Discussions

Korea’s first halal industry exhibition will take place at Hall C in COEX in Seoul from Aug. 7 to 9. A large number of high-level personnel from authoritative halal organizations will attend the event.

Based in Istanbul, the SMIIC is an organization devoted to developing standards that are commonly used in 32 Islamic countries including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, the U.A.E., and Malaysia. The affiliated research institute notified the standards for halal food in 2011, which are likely to become international, as the U.A.E. and the Philippines recently accepted them. The Vice Secretary who will lead the delegation to the event is Lotfi Ben Said. Originally from Tunisia, Said is known as an authority in the field of food quality management.

From August 7 to 8, staff from the International Halal Certification will participate in the International Halal Certification Authorities Conference, either as presenters or discussants. The International Halal CB Conference consists of 5 sessions comprised of a briefing on “New Trends in the Global Halal Certification,” a debate on “Strategies of Developing Halal Certification in Korea,” a presentation on “the Future of International Halal Standards,” “Introduction to the Turkish GIMDES Certification,” and a session for signing MOUs or MRAs among local and foreign participants. With the participation of academic and business personnel from home and abroad, the event is expected to be a lively venue for the exchange of ideas on the latest halal issues.

The International Halal Certification Authorities Conference is hosted by the Korea Food Research Institute and jointly organized by the Korea Institute of Halal industry and Korea Halal Cooperative Organization. The event is also sponsored by the Korea International Trade Association and the Korea Muslim Federation.