LAHORE: Chairman Punjab Halal Development Agency (PHDA) Justice Khalil-ur-Reman Khan has said that UAE authority has allowed transportation of Halal products through sea that would bring down the cost of freight by one third.
He was addressing the foreign delegates participating in 6th International Halal Conference here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry along with the LCCI President Abdul Basit, Senior Vice President Amjad Ali Jawa and Executive Committee Members. Participants of the International Halal Conference from Russia, Tartaristan, Indonesia, Malaysia, UK and UAE also spoke on the occasion.
Chairman said that PHDA is having Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with various countries and authorities to make it’s certification acceptable for them. He said that Pakistan Halal Authority has also been operational and first meeting of its Board of Directors is being held on 13th of this month.
He said that PHDA is also organizing training programs for butchers to aware them of the Sharia requirements. After that they would be given licenses.
He said that now is the time to boost up the Pakistan economy while exporting surplus Halal products available in Pakistan. Agency would support to the exporters of Halal products exporters. He urged the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry to appoint a focal person for close liaison between PHDA and the LCCI.
Chairman PHD said that 6th International Halal Conference will augment the Halal business of the country. He further said that the Government of Punjab is striving to boost the Halal industry of the country and this event aims to increase the potential of Halal trade in the province.
The LCCI President Abdul Basit said that Halal Food has become billions dollar global economy today, wherein Pakistan’s share is still insignificant. It is high time for Pakistan’s economy to get a boost not by getting aids from foreign countries but by exploiting the untapped potential of Halal Foods that has created a brand new Global Halal Economy in the world.
He said that Halal global economy includes all type of Food and Non- Food products ranging from food and food ingredients, all types of beverages, cosmetics & beauty products, and a host of services including banking & takaful etc. The ‘Halal Label’ is recognized in the world as a symbol of “Good Quality Product”; therefore, non-Muslims are also buying products bearing the Halal Logo.
The LCCI President despite being the natural base for Halal products, the Pakistan’s share in Global Halal Market is negligible. Today a much bigger share of Halal business is in the hands of non-Muslims and they are utilizing the Halal brand to their economic benefit. Pakistan being an Islamic country has to understand the importance of Halal Certification to get the Halal Branding, as this would boost our exports and help us transform the face of Pakistan’s economy.
“The total worth of global Halal trade is well over dollar 300 billion. If Pakistan is able to attain only 10% share of this trade then we can expand our exports easily by dollar 30 billion. It is high time that all the public and private sectors organizations should work hand in hand to materialize this objective”, Abdul Basid added.
Later, businessmen from Central Asian Republics and Russia had B2B meetings with their Pakistan counterparts.
