Opportunities in the fast-growing global halal economy are to be the focus of the inaugural Asia Dialogue conference, organised by the Business School and the New Zealand Asia Institute.
The conference, to be held at the School on 13 July, features an impressive line-up of international and New Zealand speakers, headed by prominent Malaysian business leader Tan Sri Halim Saad. Other presenters include Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Sayed Jalaludin, chief executive of Malaysia’s Halal Industry Development Corporation, and Dato’ Yusil Mohamed Yusoff, vice chair of investment and financial services conglomerate PMB.
The global halal economy, which includes financial services, logistics and non-food products as well as meat and dairy products, is worth an estimated US$2.3 trillion. With many of the world’s Muslims living in rapidly-growing emerging markets, including India and Indonesia, and with halal becoming a popular lifestyle choice elsewhere, it is expected to increase in importance for New Zealand exporters.
At present there is no international consensus on halal standards and certification, though Malaysia is taking a leading role in the industry, with initiatives such as the creation of a coordinating agency – the Halal Industry Development Corporation – and a Halal Knowledge Centre.
Malaysia also organises the world’s largest halal conference, the World Halal Forum, which is hosted by the International Halal Integrity Alliance.
“We are delighted that several presenters from the 2012 World Halal Forum have agreed to speak at the Asia Dialogue conference,” says the Business School’s Development Manager Brad Weekly.
“Their perspective on opportunities in the global halal economy will add enormously to the value for attendees.”
For more information on the Asia Dialogue conference, contact Brad Weekly.
