News From : DagangHalal.com (22 Jul 2009)
Bandar Seri Begawan – More development of the Brunei Halal Brand will be unveiled during the International Halal Product Expo, which will allow local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to explore wider business opportunities, said a senior Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources official.
Permanent Secretary Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamid Hj Mohd Jaafar said that the Brunei Halal Brand initiative is aimed to strengthen the position and role of Brunei in the halal sector, through the establishment of the Halal Science Centre and Agrotech Park, which provides facilities for output activity and export of halal products.
During a halal workshop for SMEs, he said that the International Halal Market Conference will be held as a step towards disseminating information on the development and progress of the global halal industry, aside from the product exhibition involving local and international SMEs.
Throughout the three-year duration since the project was conducted, government agencies have taken several initiatives to develop the halal product industry in the country, according to the permanent secretary.
Among them is the introduction of the Brunei Halal Brand which was launched by His
Majesty during the opening of the third International Halal Product Expo in 2008, he said.
The aim of the brand was to allocate a platform for SMEs in the country to penetrate the international halal market.
He went on to say that with Brunei’s strong background in Islam, combined with the nation’s philosophy of Malay Islam Monarchy (MO), the country is in full pursuit of the development of halal industry.
“I am confident with the process of halal product accreditation which is based on Brunei’s stringent standards, will raise trust in the worldwide halal market,” said Dato Hj Mohd Hamid.
Business with the concept of halal has the most growth in the world with about two billion users, added the permanent secretary.
“Halal is also a new market that has generated attention of not just Muslim users, but also for non-Muslims, by emphasising the importance of cleanliness, freshness and free from contamination in each manufactured/output of halal product,” he said.
The halal industry is expected to generate $840 billion per year and further increase at a fast pace from year to year. “Interests and demand relating to such services continue to increase in the world market,” he said.
He added that entrepreneurs taking the opportunity to fulfil fardhu kifayah (communal duty) will be able to accumulate halal earnings and profits.
He hoped that the halal workshop would be able to raise awareness on business opportunities in the local and global halal industry among SMEs.
The workshop was expected to enable SMEs to open their mind to ensure they explore opportunities in a new niche market aside from what they have been currently doing, and encourage them to be more involved in government initiatives through the Brunei Halal Brand.
“I hope that it will truly create involvement of local SMEs in creating a halal industry as one niche which gives them a competitive edge in a competitive world market. This will not only bring profits for entrepreneurs, but also assist the country to attract foreign investment and open up more job opportunities for locals. He added.
Source: Courtesy of The Brunei Times
Link: http://www.brudirect.com/index.php/200907212797/Local-News/halal-expo-to-help-smes-break-into-world-market.html