KUALA LUMPUR, March 16, 2006 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Malaysian International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz said on Thursday, March 16, that halal food products are increasingly appealing for non-Muslims since they are safer, healthier and cleaner.

"There has been a surge in international interest in the production of halal products," she told the joint launch of the World Halal Forum and Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2006, reported the official Bernama news agency.

"The halal market is not just for Muslims. Halal is premised on the Islamic way of life that espouses cleanliness, good hygienic practices and healthy living," said the minister.

"This increasing acceptability of halal products and services will widen the market reach for such products and services to include non-Muslims."

She recalled that last year the main export destination for Malaysia's processed food was Singapore with RM1.1 billion or 16.3 percent of the total food exports.

It was followed by Indonesia with RM613 million, the US with RM580 million, Japan with RM314 million and Thailand with RM309.8 million.

Rafidah said Asia, with a collective population of about one billion Muslims, "is a prime target market for halal products and services."

"This combination of a vast consumer market and a fast-developing halal food industry makes the regional market arguably the most important and most competitive halal market," she said.

The minister asserted that the huge potential for economic gain from halal products and services could be seen from the interest generated among countries in the region which are beginning to capitalize on the market potential.

The halal food sector is estimated at US$500 billion or RM1.895 billion annually, she said, adding that Malaysia's exports of processed food in 2005 totaled RM6.5 billion, accounting for 1.2 percent of total manufactured exports.

"It makes good economic sense and has tremendous business potential.

"Indeed, the potential for halal products is immense."

Malaysia, which organized its first MIHAS in 2004, is seeking to have the upper hand in the booming and lucrative halal industry.