Halal Expo seeking to re-position Dubai as Islamic economy hub

GCC's thriving Halal products market, which accounts for $50 billion worth of annual imports, received a major fillip from an industry showcase that opened in Dubai, attracting more than 4,000 trade visitors from 40 countries.
Halal Expo Dubai 2017, a regional showcase of Halal products and services that opened on Monday at Al Bustan Hotel has more than 75 business organisations from 15 countries showcase Halal products and services.
Amina Ahmed Mohammed, chief executive officer of the Emirates International Accreditation Centre, opened the 9th edition of the show that seeks to help re-position Dubai as the hub of the global Halal economy - as it attracts 4,000 global producers, suppliers, importers, exporters, wholesalers and retailers.
The show has a growing appeal as the UAE is home to 5,000 importers, manufacturers and stockists of Halal products. Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology, the country's standardisation authority, is expected to issue 18,000 Halal certification this year - which is one of the highest in the world.
While the global Halal economy is estimated to touch the $6.4 trillion mark by 2018 against $3.2 trillion, reported in 2012, the GCC countries import $50 billion worth of Halal products, according to a latest research by Farrelly and Mitchell - a food and agri-business specialist. Of this, the UAE's Halal import bill is $20 billion, or about 40 per cent of the GCC's Halal imports.
The opening of the show was in the wake of Malaysia's official recognition for the UAE's 'Halal Products Control System' national certificates and the national halal mark issued by the ESMA.
The recognition will facilitate the trade of UAE Halal products and ensure acceptance in Malaysian markets, as well as markets that accept Malaysian Halal systems certification, of which there are 60 markets globally.
"This UAE-led initiative, a first of its kind in the Arab and Middle East, will open up export horizons to producers in the country, as well as export and re-export support to dozens of new markets, which is positively reflected on the support and encouragement of international industries, especially in the markets of East and South East Asia and the Australian continent, and also contributes to food security in the country," Abdullah Abdul Qader Al Maeeni, Director-General of ESMA, said in a statement.
Dubai Food Park, a government initiative, recently inked a Dh1.35 billion deal to establish a UAE-China food industrial cluster that will eventually support China's $1 trillion 'One Belt One Road' initiative and help promote the speedy expansion of the Halal products and services across Asia, Europe and Africa.
Raees Ahmed, Director of Orange Fairs and Events, organiser of the Halal Expo - Dubai, 2017, said the two-day exhibition would create the right meeting point for international buyers, sellers, producers, manufacturers, importers, exporters and wholesalers of Halal and Islamic products and services and help generate businesses for the leading international Halal suppliers through Dubai.
"Halal foods are considered to be healthy and hygienic. A growing number of non-Muslim consumers prefer Halal foods, as they are deemed safer. As a result, the distribution of Halal foods has expanded beyond traditional markets in cities such as Shanghai which has 80,000 Muslims."
Halal Expo Dubai is the largest and only dedicated exhibition focusing on all aspects of Halal products and services, including Halal food, Halal beverage, Halal fashion, Halal cosmetics and personal care products, Halal travel and tourism, Halal hospitality, Halal banking and finance.
- issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com