Al Islami Foods hosts World Halal Forum (WHF) Halal Industry Dialogue, Dubai

This is one of a series of international WHF Dialogues held by KasehDia Sdn Bhd, Malaysia, to keep up to date with the progress of the Halal industry in various regions. Previous WHF Dialogues have been held in Brunei, Melbourne and Bangkok.

The dialogue encouraged the candid exchange of views and issues facing the industry and found possible ways to promote and strengthen the commercial applications of the concept of Halal. The GCC market can play a leading role in the global Halal food market on the larger corporate level if the issue of an international Halal standard is pushed forward.

The latest study conducted by HighBeam Research shows that the international Halal food industry is flourishing exponentially with the estimated value of USD150 billion and has the potential to rise to USD500 billion by 2010, combined with the strong demographic trends across the world.

'Scientifically proven health benefits of Halal food have attracted an unprecedented demand for these products across the world from both Muslim
and non-Muslim consumers, which is expanding the 'Real Halal' market from local to global', said Saleh Abdullah Lootah, Chief Executive Officer, Al Islami Foods. 'The WHF Halal Industry Dialogue is a useful way to help us pursue our commitment to the society, bridging the gap between 'Real Halal' food markets of the GCC and the world, and to play an active role in the creation of globally acceptable Halal Food Standards', Lootah added.

On this significant platform, Lootah expressed his determination to make UAE a hub for the international Halal food industry and added that it was time to consolidate all players to work for the cause of 'Real Halal' in compliance with the principles of Islamic Shariah.

The international Halal industry is developing at a rapid pace, with different countries, regional players and corporations pursuing various aspects and opportunities of this multi-billion dollar market. The Islamic consumer market is the fastest-growing in the world. Europe's Muslim population has grown by more than 140 per cent over the past decade to reach 25 million, while Australia's has grown by a significant 250 per cent in the same period. The UK Halal market alone is currently a USD 4 billion market, with a strong demand for specialised and healthy Halal food.

In this context, the WHF Industry Dialogue addressed the need to consolidate and harmonise ongoing efforts of all players to leverage and strengthen Halal's commercial applications.

Mr. Dato' Jamil Bidin, Chief Executive Officer, Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC), Malaysia, in his keynote address said: 'I believe that we are going to see Halal emerge as one of the most powerful market forces in the food industry in the coming decade. Halal is not a niche market; Halal is for everyone; and I believe that we will see the reality of this reflected in economic terms in the years to come.'

The Dialogue evolved around Going Global with Halal as the main theme, which is a vital phase for the industry because a number of processed food industry players are eager to obtain Halal certification to give a massive boost to their sales. The speakers exchanged developmental ideas, information and experiences of the international Halal food market related to issues, challenges and opportunities, especially in the context of GCC region, and hence to bring those issues to the main World Halal Forum, which will be held in Kuala Lumpur on 7-8 May 2007.

The main speakers and topics included: Hasan Rimawi, Chief Technical Officer, Al Islami Foods, Dubai: The Real Halal Technical Process; Hajj Abdalhamid Evans, Director, International Halal Integrity Alliance - IHI: Halal Initiatives & Developments in South-East Asia; Dr. Habib M.Nasria, Director of Quality Control, McDonalds International: Challenges for Multinationals in the Global Halal Market; Falah Alizzi, Zabiha Halal, Maple Lodge Farms, Canada: How to Get Halal Products onto the Supermarket Shelf. The speeches were followed by a panel discussion moderated by Hajj Abdalhamid Evans.