Global Halal Mart Offers Plenty Of Opportunities For Asean Members

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 (Bernama) -- The global halal market, which is worth US$2.3 trillion annually, offers plenty of opportunities for members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) as they continually seek to enhance economic growth within this region. Malaysian Deputy of International Trade and Industry Minister, Mukhriz Mahathir (second from right), said in the halal food sector alone, the market was estimated at US$693 billion a year. "There is indeed a need for Asean countries to further explore the vast potential existing in the global halal food industry not only to cater to the Muslims but also the non-Muslims," he said at the 9th Asean Working Group on Halal Food here Thursday. Mukhriz said Malaysia's export of halal products was expected to register six per cent growth this year. He said Malaysia's performance in the exports of halal products by halal-certified companies in 2011 recorded an estimated value of US$11.8 billion. "Exports by these companies contributed 5.1 per cent to the country's overall export of US$231.5 billion. "Among the major items exported included halal ingredients valued at US$4.1 billion comprising food and non-food ingredients such as fats, additives, salts, emulsifiers and colours. "This is followed by food and beverages valued at US$3.96 billion and palm oil derivatives such as palm olein and stearin valued at US$2.3 billion," he said. Mukriz said the harmonisation of Asean Halal Food Standards was not meant to encroach into the purview of Asean member states but to initiate discussions on improving the current system and practices with regard to halal food. "A number of Asean member states had their own standards and guidelines regarding halal food. It is hoped this cooperation will meet the requirements and demands of Muslim populations domiciled in member states," he said. He had presented a token of appreciation to the Head of the Halal Certification Strategic Unit at Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) Dewi Hartaty Suratty (second from left) and Head of the Delegation from Thailand Thanida Havintharanon among others. Also present were Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) senior director of export development Zakaria Kamaruddin (right) and senior director of Enterpreneurship Development Division, Ministry of International Trade Industry Abdul Ghafar Musa (left). (photoBERNAMA) MALAYSIA