Brunei’s Halal Drive Gaining Momentum


Brunei’s Halal Drive Gaining Momentum

Bandar Seri Begawan – Besides introducing the “Brunei Halal Brand”,
the Sultanate has undertaken other initiatives to strengthen its
position in the ‘Halal’ market. Among them is the establishment of a
Halal Science Centre and Agrotech Park.

Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamid bin Hj Mohd Jaafar, the Permanent
Secretary at the Ministry of Industry & Primary Resources, pointed
this out during a Halal SME Workshop yesterday.

According to him, Halal-oriented businesses are rapidly developing
around the world, reaching two million consumers, including non-Muslims.

“Halal concept businesses are big business,” he said, adding that it
is estimated to generate up to US$632 billion in revenue annually. This
figure is expected to increase, as public interest and demand for such
services continue to rise.

Another strong “pulling factor” for this type of business is the
fact that entrepreneurs can make Halal profits, which will enable them
to fulfil their ‘Fardhu Kifayah’ (collective obligation).

The Permanent Secretary voiced his confidence that Brunei, with its
strong Islamic foundation and MIB philosophy, will be able to enhance
the trust of consumers in the global Halal market with its strict Halal
product certification process.

Acknowledging the potential of the Halal industry, the Gov eminent
of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam
through the Ministry of Industry & Primary Resources, Ministry of
Religious Affairs and Ministry of Health, organised its first ever
Halal International Expo in 2006.

On the sidelines of the expo, an International Halal Market
Conference was held to disseminate information on the development of
the global Halal industry.

Within three years of implementing this ambitious project, His
Majesty’s Government achieved another milestone with the introduction
of the “Brunei Halal Brand”, which was launched by the monarch last
year. One of the key aspirations of the “Brunei Halal Brand” is to give
local SMEs a platform to tap into foreign markets.

Over 50 people, mainly entrepreneurs from the food sector, attended
yesterday’s workshop, which was designed to provide them with a clear
perspective of Brunei’s comprehensive Halal agenda. They also learnt
about the different types of assistance that are available from various
government agencies.

The one-day workshop, which was facilitated by experts from Imarat
Consultants yesterday, was the first in a series of workshops aimed at
nurturing local SMEs towards achieving national standards in food
production and enhancing their capability to compete in the global
Halal market.

The workshop also served as a fact-finding exercise to get a clearer picture of challenges faced by local SMEs.

Hjh Suria Hayati, the Director of Agriculture, delivered a series of
talks, which highlighted opportunities in the global and regional
markets, as well as other issues related to the implementation of
Brunei’s Halal agenda.

Effandi bin Hj Salleh, the Head of Entrepreneur Development Centre,
meanwhile, pointed out that result gathered from yesterday’s workshop
would be tabled at the upcoming International Halal Market Conference.