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.
Immense
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.
Malaysian
bi-monthly magazine, The Halal Journal, was launched in February last
year as the first trade and business publication serving the global
halal marketplace.
