Karachi, October 04, 2018 (PPI-OT): Pakistan Hilal Assembly-2018, held a seminar at the Federation House to discuss the potentials and opportunities for Pakistan in Global Halal Market, urged the government to establish Pakistan Halal Development Authority (PHDA) at national level for issuance of Halal certification and oversee the industry to promote Halal products in national as well as international market.
Addressing the seminar Senior Vice President Syed Mazhar Ali Nasir said that despite being a Muslim country Pakistan’s share in the global Halal trade was merely 0.25 per cent which could be increased with the upgradation of Halal certification and provision of Halal storage facilities.
He pointed out that there was a dire need to create awareness about the Halal product in our country as this is not confined to food and beverages only it included pharmaceutical, cosmetics and a lot more and people in our country were not aware of the fact. So educating them about the importance of Halal is necessary to promote Halal products in our country and of course globally.
He reiterated that formation of PHDA was the need of the hour for keeping check on exports and imports of Halal products. Moreover, organizations like PSQA, PCSIR, and TDAP should also extend their support in the promotion and development of Halal industry. Speaking to the participants of the seminar S.M. Munir, former President of FPCCI and Ex CE of TDAP said that such events should be organized more frequently to create much needed awareness among the local manufacturers in particular and the public in general.
The Chairman of the Standing Committee on Halal Food regretted that the no Muslim country was among the top ten exporters of Halal food and Pakistan being a Muslim country failed to get its due share in the global Halal market consisting of more than US$ 3 trillion.
He said that Halal foods gained a larger presence in major European and American fast food chains in recent years and supermarkets and food companies were jumping on the bandwagon to gain a competitive advantage. This is just because now they are now aware of the fact that Halal food is healthier, he added.
The seminar had three sessions. The inaugural session which was followed by a session on Government’s role to promote Pakistan’s Halal products exports, addressed by representatives of government organizations like PSQA, PCSIR PNAC. The third session discussed trade barriers in Halal industrial development and export promotion addressed by the Executive Director K and N, Adil Khaleel, Director Al-Shaheer Foods Kamran Kalili and a host of others.
The seminar was largely attended by members of the Diplomatic Corps including Russian Federation, Japan, Malaysia, Iran and Thailand, business community, representatives of various government organization and academia.
For more information, contact:
Secretary General
Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI)
B-1, Federation House, Main Clifton Road,
Shahra-e-Firdousi, Karachi-75600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35873691, 93-94
Fax: +92-21-35874332
Email: info@fpcci.com.pk
URL: www.fpcci.com.pk