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ISLAMABAD—Pakistan should capitalize on the fast growing Halal food market not only in the lucrative Middle East market but the entire Europe and the US markets to bridge the gap in huge trade deficit and earn precious foreign exchange. This was said by Karim Aziz Malik, Acting President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) while addressing a seminar at ICCI jointly organized by ICCI and Halal Development Project. He said Halal food market was growing due to rising prosperity among Muslim countries which prefer Halal food in accordance with their belief and urged Pakistani businessmen to accelerate their efforts to explore avenues of huge potential in trillion dollar Halal food market. He also emphasized upon the government to establish Halal products testing and certification facilities & set up free zones in the country to promote Halal food exports. He appreciated the HDP’s efforts to promote Pakistani Halal exports and promised complete support of ICCI to HDP’s agenda and activities. Giving presentation on “Brand Halal” Asad Sajjad, CEO, Halal Development Project (HDP) said the global Halal market would be crossing the level of 2 trillion dollars per annum and Pakistan could capture its due share in it by achieving the Halal branding of its products and exploiting the “Power of Halal” brand to make its future bright. He said Halal brand has a market of 1.73 billion Muslims in the world while Muslims in non-Muslim countries could be a lucrative market for Pakistani Halal brands that prefer to use Halal products. He advised the exporters of food and other products to get their products certified as ‘Halal’ before entering into this huge market. He regretted that Pakistan is still alien to this market due to the fact that no Pakistani manufacturer or exporter got his products tested and certified as ‘Halal’. Asad Sajjad said that Halal market has an economic value rather than being just an Islamic value. He said most non-Muslim countries are utilizing the Halal brand due to its good quality and economic benefits & asked businessmen to step up their efforts to seek business opportunities in this market. He said HDP is a non-profit organization which has been set up to encourage Halal business exports and would provide awareness and expertise to the businessmen to establish Halal business. He ensured the businessmen that HDP would provide every possible assistance and guidance to the intending exporters to exploit ‘Halal’ food market. —Agencies |
Asia, Media & Events
Pakistan should capitalize fast growing halal market: Karim Malik
