Roundtable on halal industry highlights country’s potential

ISLAMABAD: The strict compliance of certification can help Pakistan to take halal products exports to $5 to $6 billion annually and capture a sizeable share in the $3 trillion world halal food industry.

Speaking at a Round Table Conference on “How to boost halal food exports?” Meher Kashif Younis, former senior Vice President Lahore Chamber said in Lahore on Sunday that Pakistan can increase manifolds food exports by formulating and implementing policies in association with the private sector.

He said there is a need to increase halal food production and exports of semi-cooked meat which holds high demand in China and other Far East countries.

He said Europe is currently generating 80 percent of global halal revenue. He said that demand for halal products had increased manifold because of the growing Muslim population worldwide. Therefore, the government should encourage exports of such products and asked the exporters to continue to explore the world market and focus on research and compliance, which is a must while doing business in the global marketplace.

He said the strict Halal compliance, quality certification, and state support could help halal export Pak products to $5 to $6 billion. He said the government should offer basket of incentive to boost the export of good quality halal food. He said unfortunately no Muslim country features among the top 10 halal meat exporters, although Pakistan and other Muslim countries can export meat on a large scale.

He said China, Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia and Central Asian States should be targeted instead of relying on only Arab countries for halal meat exports.

Mehr Kashif Younis said Pakistan has a 100 percent halal production base and has direct access to 470 million consumers in Central Asia, Middle East, and Europe. Therefore, Pakistan has an excellent opportunity to gain a massive share in the global halal market by enhancing production and improving quality, he suggested.