19/09/2017 05:14 AST
Amina Ahmed Mohammed, Chief Executive Officer of the Emirates International Accreditation Centre (EIAC), officially opened the 9th Halal Expo Dubai 2017, at a ceremony at Roda Al Bustan Hotel on Monday, two days after Malaysia officially recognized the UAE’s ‘Halal Products Control System’ national certificates and the national Halal mark issued by the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA), which will boost the UAE’s $20 billion (Dh73 billion) annual halal imports.
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.
The UAE is home to 5,000 importers, manufacturers and stockists of Halal products. Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA), the country’s standardization authority, is expected to issue 18,000 Halal certification this year – which is one of the highest in the world.
The two-day exhibition is expected to be attended by 4,000 people – mostly buyers and sellers of Halal products and services – from 40 countries. More than 75 companies from 15 countries, including Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Spain, Pakistan, Switzerland, India, the United Kingdom, Brunei, Thailand, China and the U.A.E are participating at the show.
These developments are a direct result of the vision of the government as envisioned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, when he declared his plan to transform Dubai as the global capital of Islamic Economy in 2013.
Subsequently, the government has created Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre (DIEDC), which is supporting the Halal Expo Dubai – a major exhibition participated by more than 75 companies from 15 countries including national pavilions from Malaysia, Kazakhstan, China and Pakistan.
The global Halal economy is estimated to touch the $6.4 trillion (Dh23.48 trillion) mark by 2018, up from $3.2 trillion in 2012, according to a latest report, while Dubai reinforces its position as the capital of the global Islamic economy as it opens doors to the 9th edition of the Halal Expo Dubai.
The GCC countries import $50 billion (Dh183 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 (Dh73 billion), or about 40 per cent of the GCC’s Halal products imports.
Dubai Food Park, a government initiative, has recently inked a Dh1.35 billion deal to establish a UAE-China food industrial cluster that will eventually support China’s US$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 “Halal Expo Dubai is part of our efforts to help Dubai strengthen its position as the global hub of Halal and Islamic economy. The two-day exhibition will 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.”
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Saudi Gazette
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