Brunei's News Headlines - Brudirect.com

First With The News - Putting Your Business Online

HOME	PAGE TWO	BRUDIRECT MAIL	NEWS ARCHIVE	CLASSIFIED ADS	HAVE YOUR SAY

Brunei Halal Product Academy In Pipeline
By Fadhil Yunus

Bandar Seri Begawan - To provide a clear and reliable definition on consumer and food products considered 'Halal' in the market today, Brunei is mulling to set up a Halal Product Academy, which will be the first of its kind facilitating Syariah scholars and specialists in Halal science and research.

This was revealed by Dr Haji Abdul Hamid David Evans, Managing Director and Senior Analyst of Imarat Consultants.

With the Halal market worth an estimated US$2.1 trillion a year and growing at US$500 billion annually due to an ever-increasing Muslim population, this sector is now considered the fastest growing market in the world.

But it has also raised concerns and doubts among consumers on how 'Halal' a product is and whether it is permissible for consumption by Muslims. In some instances, it has led to misinterpretation of the 'Halal' rules set out in the Islamic guidelines.

Brunei will be the focal point on August 16 and 17 when the International Halal Market Conference 2008 (IHMC) is held at the International Convention Centre.

Imarat Consultants has been appointed by the

Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources to handle the upcoming IHMC.

According to Dr Haji AbdulHamid, the setting up of the Halal Product Academy will be discussed in depth on the second day of the conference.

The conference will feature high-level speakers and experts from various countries and established companies in the Halal industry.

In an interview yesterday, Dr Haji AbdulHamid said that Brunei should uptake, identify and apply the resources available in the Halal economy.

He acknowledged that while oil and gas remain the backbone of the country's economy, the Sultanate is also keen to diversify and is looking at finding a route through the Halal market.

One of the main missions of the event—the International Halal Products Expo — is to increase awareness of the Halal market and economy while at the same time expand and diversify the growth of the nation's economy away from the dependence on oil and gas.

He highlighted several government initiatives in this field including ecotourism, Islamic finance and the Halal industry.

"Brunei should realise its ability and convert opportunities in the market as its niche role in standard certification and development of human resources," he said.

He also said that leadership is not by size but by how much positivism the country will bring forward to the market.

"In five years' time, we will hope Brunei to be a centre of excellence in Brunei Halal Brand, standard certification, scientific research and IT applications," he added.

"As a Malay Islamic monarchy, it suits the country to improve its Halal economy sector and make it an identity for its people.

"The food industry is now high-tech with its application of science and technology. These days, the manufacturing of food is based on a very industrialised procedure," he said.

Overall, the topics during the conference will cover market analysis, manufacturing and distribution challenges, brand development, Halal park clusters, online applications for Halal, Halal tourism and hospitality, Halal science and the pharmaceutical industry, and the development of ICT in the Halal sector.

Imarat Consultants specialises on the content, research, analysis and logistics of the Halal market, which also include the development of the Halal product process. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Related News: 118 countries for third halal expo

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News

Back to News Page

Write to Us

Brunei's Fastest Growing Website with