World Halal Forum Aims To Attract Global Leaders
By BERNAMA published 4 years ago
Original Article Source: BERNAMA
Filed Under: World Halal Forum 2007
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 - The Second World Halal Forum (WHF) 2007 aims to attract global leaders and focus on specific issues that matter to the industry.
"We are trying to extend invitations this time not just to the industry players, but also to government leaders who have been identified as key leaders beneficial to the halal industry's growth," said World Halal Forum chairman Khairy Jamaluddin.
He said the leaders to be invited included King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, Indonesia's President Bambang Yudhiyono Susilo, Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf.
He added that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has confirmed that he would give the keynote address and grace a gala dinner at the forum to be held on May 7 and 8.
The theme is "Harmonising The Global Halal Market", kicking off "Halal Malaysia Week" which will also include the Fourth Malaysian International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2007 scheduled from May 9 to 13.
Khairy said WHF 2007 would focus on specific issues with plenary and breakout sessions covering a diverse range of industry-related topics.
He said the first forum, held earlier this year, had attracted 730 participants with 463 delegates from 27 countries, and efforts would be made to ensure that WHF 2007 addressed matters relevant to the global market.
Jumaatun Azmi, managing director of KasehDia Sdn Bhd which is managing the event, said at least 700 participants are expected to attend WHF 2007 with the focus on quality of participants.
She said global players in the halal industry are expected to be well represented, with the participation of those from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The forum is organised by Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC).
HDC chief executive officer Datuk Jamil Bidin said to steer Malaysia into pole position globally in the halal market, and to be an effective and functional halal hub, it was important to develop strategic relationships with the key players throughout the world.
"If we can identify the gaps and inefficiencies in the halal industry - both at home and abroad - we will be in a position to recognise the opportunities to position Malaysian companies to take fullest advantage of the growth and potential in this exciting market arena," he added.