What would it take for a newly start-up company or a local small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) to reap the much-talked about multi-trillion dollar global Halal market?
According to reports within the newly published The International Halal SME Report Directory 2011/12, Halal entrepreneurs need to be hard working, technology savvy and have strong business alliances, just like any other businesses within any other industries.
“Halal business is unique for its religious dimension, but it cannot escape the same law of gravity in an economic world that is applicable to all businesses,” according to a report entitled 2010: The Prologue of Halal Era, published within the book.
“Only through strong business alliances, will Halal businesses be able to form collaborative relationship management, procurement and logistical effectiveness and efficiency along the entire Halal supply chain – the key link that will help them fully realise the potentials of the global Halal industry.”
The report went on to highlight the most-up-to-date value of the global Halal food market using latest available data, which is actually closer to US$720 billion at 2009 prices. Malaysia’s Halal food market alone was estimated to be worth US$12.21 billion in 2009, which is approximately 6.3% of its nominal gross domestic product of US$192.82 billion.
These are just a fraction of the expert reports and analysis published within the International Halal SME Report Directory 2011/12, which made its debut at the Halal Fiesta Malaysia (HALFEST) starting today till Oct 16, 2011 at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur.
Other key features include interviews with key Halal personalities including Dato Mukhriz Mahathir, deputy minister of International Trade and Industries, who explains the Halal agenda under the current administration; market analysis for agriculture, manufacturing, services and tourism sectors; as well as regional reports for Russia, United States and India.
Complementing the hard facts and figures, the 208-page A4-sized publication also highlights key players within the main Halal sectors within its premium listing section, as well as over 1,000 free listing of Halal-certified manufacturers of food, health products, ingredients, chemical, flavouring as well as many other related industries from all over the world.
Aiming to give senior decision makers an up-to-date view of the ever-changing global Halal landscape, the first-of-its-kind publication is also backed by proprietary web portals HalalSME.com and HalalMedia.net, to provide real value content for both the readers and the businesses alike, helping to promote their brand names and Halal statuses within the global arena.
“In addition to the listing in the book, we are also offering free online listing for Halal certified companies in HalalSME.com. Not only that, we’re even offering free blogs for SMEs to promote their products and services within our growing community,” said Kamarul Aznam Kamaruzaman, Editorial Director of H Media, publishers of the book.
“SME owners can create their own web pages and sell their products or services online, share their thoughts and plans for the business as well as network and stay up to date with the rest of the players within the community,” he added.
Extending the value proposition even further, premium paid members can also send in unlimited company updates to be published in HalalMedia.net, a consumer-centric Halal portal. In addition to news, they can also send in advertorials, videos or even products for review, for only RM200 (US$70) a year.
“We see it as a pyramid – the larger more profitable SMEs pay a small annual fee to cover the maintenance cost and at the same time, support the micro and new start-ups. Ultimately, we want to strengthen the Halal industry by utilising both the traditional and new media. In the end, everybody benefits, Insha Allah,” Kamarul added.
Quick Reader (QR) codes for instance, were already used extensively throughout the publication, directing mobile users to respective corporate websites or blogs, as well as premium content such as interview videos. More cool features are being planned with the sole aim of providing local Halal SMEs a true-to-nature globalised promotional platform, by utilising the powers of Internet and social networking.
From now until Oct 16, the book can be viewed, thumbed and purchased at HALFEST at booth #2064, Hall 2, Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur, before it is made available at major bookstores and premium retail outlets across Malaysia and selected cities around the world. For online purchases using credit card or PayPal, log on to http://ihsmerd.halalsme.com/purchase.
###
For more info, please contact:
Kamarul Aznam Kamaruzaman
Editorial Director, H Media
M: +6012-6346760
