The Brunei government has announced August 16-19 scheduled for an international exhibition to showcase a brand of foodstuff permissible (Halal) for Muslims. The 2nd International Halal Product Expo (IHPE) 2007, which has been launched few years ago, will be held at the International Conference Centre in Darussalam, an official of Brunei Food Ministry said in a statement issued to Business Recorder on Friday through email.
Haji Muhammad Sufri Abdullah, the focal person for the event, said the exhibition would prove an opportunity for those who seek to penetrate and know more about the world Halal market. "The 2nd IHPE 2007 will act as the foundation for exchanging of ideas; thus meeting-up with potential business partners both already and wish-to-be involved in the global Halal market ranging from the production, supplying of raw materials, manufacturing and processing," Sufri's email to this correspondent said.
The Haji added the Brunei government would welcome investors from all over the Muslim world including Pakistan to participate in the exhibition for exploring opportunities to expand Halal food business.
Halal is a kind of food that is permissible for Muslims. The term is specifically associated with meat (both red and white). The way animal and chickens are slaughtered by non-Muslims usually through mechanical means makes meat forbidden for Muslims.
Halal food is an emerging business with Muslims populations growing in non-Muslim countries and continents like United States and parts of Europe and Australia. The demand for Halal food by airlines is also on the rise.
Participants can expect to be enriched with more information on the definition of the word 'Halal' itself and other related aspects as a two-day conference too would take place at the event, the Haji said. Some exceptional speakers from various countries would deliver lectures and share their knowledge with the participants at the conference, he added.