  
News From : DagangHalal.com (05 Dec 2011)
SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Halal certified premises look set to grow by 60 per cent to 5,000 premises in four years’ time, says the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS).
There are presently 3,000 halal certified premises such as eateries and food factories.
Launching the Singapore Halal Eating Guide iPhone Apps, which is a directory of more than 1,800 halal eateries in this country, Minister for Muslim Affairs Dr Yaacob Ibrahim said Halal-certified premises have grown five times over the last decade from 530 to 2,650 last year.
Halal products approved by MUIS went up seven times from about 2,240 to 15,600 products during the same period.
Speaking at the MUIS Halal Seminar, Dr Yaacob believes the growth in Halal sector would boost tourism industry here.
Dr Yaacob said: “I think with more places becoming Halal, not only eating establishments but hotels, it must have an impact on our tourism. We have seen tourists not only from the Muslim countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. We’ve seen increase of tourists coming from the Middle East.
“Now that you have hotels that are halal, I’m sure this will ease their visit to Singapore because of the convenience in which they can access halal establishment within their hotel. I’m sure it will be a pull factor for some of the tourists coming to Singapore.”
The global halal market is estimated to be worth US$2 trillion, with the halal food market valued at about US$660 billion.
Source: Channel News Asia