Malaysian Traders Urged To Grab Opportunities In Saudi Arabia

Posted in: Middle East & Africa, Asia
JEDDAH,  - Traders from Malaysia should grab the huge opportunity for them to market much more of their consumer goods, especially halal food products, in Saudi Arabia in light of the growing demand for them, Malaysia's Consul General here, Hidayat Abdul Hamid, said.

Thai Islamic Bank Gives 1.2 Billion Baht in Loans For Halal Manufacturers

Posted in: Asia, Media & Events, Finance & Investment

BANGKOK, -- The Islamic Bank of Thailand (IBT) plans to lend 1.2 billion baht in 2009 to promote halal food and product manufacturings while exploring sukuk or Islamic bonds through "petro money" from Middle East investors. Its chairman Professor Dr Somchai Virunhaphol said the fund for halal manufacturers would then be doubled in two years as there are vast potential to be tapped.


Islamic Banking Gaining Strength, Says Surin Pitsuwan

Posted in: Asia, Finance & Investment
BANGKOK -- The Islamic financing system is expected to grow faster than the previous 15 to 20 percent annually as world economies look at it as an alternative to western models which is in turmoil now, said Asean Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan. Surin said while the world financial system was in turmoil and sending shock waves across the globe, trend in Islamic banking and halal food industry was encouraging and positive.

Bangkok Global Halal Conference 2008

Posted in: Asia, Halal Integrity, Media & Events
The conference was inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister Olarn Chaipravat, with a keynote address by ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, on “From Islamic Finance to Halal Products.” Moreover, a seminar was held on “Helal Certification and Cooperation,” “Halal Business and Islamic Finance,” and “Current Halal Research."

Thailand B2.4bn for halal lending

Posted in: Asia, Finance & Investment
The Islamic Bank of Thailand will set aside 2.4 billion baht next year to help finance halal food businesses, according to managing director Dheerasak Suwannayos.

Halal laboratory to open in Koronadal

Posted in: Asia, Halal Integrity
Stakeholders in Mindanao’s industry met yesterday for the creation of a Mindanao Halal Food Industry Development Plan, a three-year road map on the development of the halal industry. The plan which started this month until July 2009 will cover specific strategies, targets, programs and projects on halal, and plot areas of cooperation with related industries like agriculture, food processing, manufacturing, halal ingredients, plus branding and promotion.

Zahid Urges Malaysian Firms to Expand Into OIC Countries

Posted in: Asia, Finance & Investment
Malaysia: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi Wednesday urged local firms involved in Islamic based businesses to expand their business to the member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC). The Islamic business and financial market offers an alternative venue for Malaysian companies in the midst of the challenges brought by the current global financial crisis, he said.

Plans to make HID corporation (HDC) into a certification body

Posted in: Asia, Halal Integrity
Though the Halal Industry Development Corp. has definitely been up and running much longer than 7 months, as mentioned in this article, their taking over the Halal certification from JAKIM is probably closer to that length of time. HDC is creating a new model for how a government can manage the Halal industry in their country and they are certainly going through lots of start up problems with no example to follow, and having to figure it out as they go along. This is made even more difficult by the fact that they are also trying to enter the international Halal market offering Halal certification. Not an easy task when even people in their own country are not sure who they are and what they are doing.
Now it looks like the Philippines are trying to follow their example for their own development of the Halal industry in Mindanao.


Zahid Supports Effort To End Conflicts Between Syariah And Civil Laws

Posted in: Asia, Halal Integrity, Shariah Issues
The Halal Industry Development Corporation will assist the Halal Product Research Institute of Universiti Putra Malaysia in marketing its research findings internationally.

Brazilian Halal exports to the Middle East to cross US$6.38 billion in 2008

Posted in: Middle East & Africa, The Americas, Meat & Poultry
Brazilian Halal exports to the Middle East are expected to exceed USD 6.38 billion in 2008, as the demand for beef meat and poultry continues to rise in the region. Industry reports have revealed that 33 per cent of Brazilian poultry and 40 per cent of its meat production are being supplied to the global Halal market, which is largely concentrated within the region.