UAE: First Of Its Kind Halal Trade And Marketing Center In Dubai To Help Support Islamic Economy Startups

The establishment of a new Halal Trade and Marketing Centre in Dubai is geared to support global companies, startups, and businesses operating in the Islamic economy, the Director General of the Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA) has said.

DAFZA and the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre launched the first of its kind Halal Trade and Marketing Centre last month, the emirate’s Media Office said in a statement.

The Halal Trade and Marketing Center (HTMC) is a global business development center focused on economic opportunities for manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors of halal products and services. Areas of support include Halal certification guidance, Halal product development and Shariah financing.

His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Director General of DAFZA, said: “The launch of the Center comes in line with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make the emirate the global capital of Islamic economy and promote its international and regional leadership in this critical sector.

“The center will be an excellent addition to the thriving Islamic economic ecosystem in Dubai, which currently represents 8% of the emirate’s GDP. It will support global companies, startups, and businesses operating in this sector, as well as foreign investors entering the market and launching their operations in Dubai.”

The UAE is widely considered as a major business hub to serve a regional halal consumer market valued at $512 billion, he added.

The centre’s value proposition is based on DAFZA’s Islamic Economy Strategy analysis that has been developed after interviews and surveys with global players and experts. In the fast growing $252 billion Halal trade market, a clear gap of sales and marketing support needs for the Halal economy companies was identified.

His Excellency Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar, CEO of Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre said: “The launch of the first Halal Trade and Marketing Centre of its kind in the region is an important step in our journey to cement Dubai’s position as the global capital of the Islamic economy. The centre will represent a reference on the international level for companies and entrepreneurs, offering a range of sales and marketing services to facilitate operations with various sectors of the Islamic economy including manufacturers, suppliers and distributors of Halal products and services.”