Dubai International Halal Show 2006 opens; huge potential of Halal industry under focus

Over 60 leading companies representing various sectors from 17 countries are attending the three-day Show, which ends on September 13, 2006. vLinx Inc., is the main sponsor the event, being organised by Orange Fairs and Events of Dubai and Exhibitions Promotion and Management (M) Sdn Bhd (EXPAM) of Malaysia under approval of Dubai Department of Economic Development.

Also present at the inauguration ceremony were, Dr Mariam Mohamed Matar, Assistant Undersecretary to the UAE Minister of Health, Mr. Kombiz Eghdami, Chairman and CEO, vLinx, Mr. Abdul Kabur Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer, EXPAM, Malaysia along with Mr. Raees Ahmed of Orange Fairs and Events.

DIHAS 2006 is being held under the aegis and support of various international chambers of commerce, government agencies and Halal organisations from around the world. Among the companies taking part are Gem Foods of the UK, Sahamada Corporation Sdn Bhd of Brunei and Enjoyo-Meal International of Australia. The companies have wide range of interests in the Halal industry and have also specific teams working on the development of the Halal business relevant to their industry

In his comments, Mr Kombiz Eghdami, Chairman and CEO, vLinx Inc, said: 'DIHAS 2006 will be a exciting opportunity for companies from all Halal sectors to explore the immense growth potential and attractive business opportunity it offers. The emergence of the global Halal industry is a huge, untapped opportunity for vLinx and our current international Trade Technology, which is in use in at least 10 countries, will be formally introduced in the Halal Global Xchange™'.

He added, 'Our online transaction engine is the perfect facilitator for the Halal trade and we look forward to helping both the exporters and importers increase their business volume and profit margins. We are also fortunate to have the continued support of H.H. Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince & Deputy Ruler of RAK.'

Voicing his views on the high-profile exhibition in Dubai, Mr. Abdul Kabur Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer of EXPAM, said: 'The Halal industry is growing at a rapid pace as is widely viewed as a burgeoning business sector. DIHAS 2006 will offer the perfect platform for over 60 companies to showcase their products and for retailers to tap into these opportunities. The demand for Halal products is high worldwide, coming not just from Muslims, but also from people of diverse races and religious beliefs, thus providing a huge boost to the sector.'

He added, 'The size of the global Halal consumer market (food and non-food such as financial services, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics) is estimated at USD 2 trillion, of which the food sector alone is worth USD 400 billion. The existence of such a big market naturally opens the doors of economic opportunities for these engaged in the business, directly or indirectly. We look forward to encouraging interaction between the various industry segments at this high-profile exhibition, which would prove to be a defining moment in the global Halal trade.'

The exhibition profile includes companies from UAE, Malaysia, Australia, Brazil, Korea, Pakistan, Italy, Taiwan, Brunei, Philippines, US and UK, among others, representing all kinds of food and non-food products such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, beauty products, processing equipment, machinery and utensils and Halal services such as Islamic finance, travel, insurance, education etc.