The last 12 months leading up to WHF 2008

The World Halal Forum (WHF) is back for its third edition of gathering of scholars, industry experts, major Halal industry movers and shakers who will discuss and deliberate on issues under the theme ‘Sustainable Development Through Investment and Integration’; all of which had been the hard work and result of 12 months worth of continued activities.

Since WHF 2007 in May 2007, the WHF secretariat did not just stop when WHF 2007 ended, they immediately went to work, investigating and analysing trends, identifying issues and seeking solutions to improve the Halal industry at a global level.

The World Halal Forum-Industry Dialogue (WHF-ID) bandwagon made a stop in Johannesburg, South Africa on July 17th 2007. The half-day dialogue focused on key areas crucial in development of the Halal industry in South Africa including development of local markets and identifying opportunities for growth; South Africa’s regional role,  leveraging from South Africa Halal certification bodies, roles of Halal in agriculture and highlighting of global trends effecting South Africa.

One of the many highlights of the day was a surprise visit from South Africa’s Director of Department of Trade and Industry, Madam Hester Obisi, who expressed gratitude that Malaysia is taking bold steps in championing the cause of Halal internationally and she reaffirmed South Africa government’s support in developing its local Halal industry. South Africa has been actively hosting events focusing on Halal as a feasible business concept.

With business population of roughly one million, South Africa is playing a major role in developing Halal industry in Africa and is constantly seen as access to the massive African market. With in excess of 500 million Muslims in the whole of Africa, the WHF-ID in Johannesburg provided good sign that key industry players are vigorously looking for ways to harmonise and once this occur, Halal will be a huge success in Africa.

Other than the World Halal Forum-Industry Dialogue (WHF-ID), initiatives such as The Halal Journal Workshops and Briefings such as the Brief on Malaysia’s Global Halal Initiatives took place on the 8th of August 2007 at the Equatorial Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The inaugural WHF-ID in Ning Xia autonomous region in China was well received with over 150 attendees from both China and Malaysia for the half-day session.

Malaysian delegates, comprising key people from the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC), took this opportunity to address issues and concerns relating to the smooth collaborations with their Chinese counterparts. Among the members of the Malaysian delegation includes Dato’ Jamil Bidin, CEO of HDC, Darhim Dali Hashim, HDC’s then Director of Capacity Building and Zanalli Hashim from the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS).

Their Chinese counterparts included Tongsheng, member of Party Standing Committee, vice governor and director of the organising committee on Investment & Trade Fair; Madam Hong Meixiang, Chairman of the Chine People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) of Yinchuan; Mr Hei Zhihu, deputy secretary general of the People’s Government of Ningxia Hui Autonomous region; Wang Yongliang from the Division Ethnic History Editorial Office; Nongxia People’s Press and Zhang Hong’en, chairman of the board of Ningxia Jinfulai Mutton Industry Co. Ltd.

Malaysia and China have long been working on building trade relations in the Halal industry to benefit from each other’s progressing economies.

In conjunction with the World of Muslim 2007 Exhibition held on the 7th – 9th September 2007 at Impact Convention Centre, Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok, a Halal Journal Workshop was held in Bangkok, Thailand on September 9th 2007 shortly after the WHF-ID in Ningxia, China.

WHF-ID Jakarta, Indonesia held on the 29th October 2007 at the Gran Melia Jakarta Hotel was quite a success aside from the fact that VIP’s from Malaysia were unable to attend this WHF-ID due to the launch of the Eastern Economic Corridor that fell on the same day.

End of year 2007 saw the successful staging of three World Halal Forum- Industry Dialogues (WHF-ID) in Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Singapore where it achieved its set objectives of creating understanding of different areas within the Halal industry and delving into the heart of issues faced by industry stakeholders.

WHF-ID Turkey was held on 1st November 2007 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Istanbul in conjunction with the 15th International Food, Beverage, Food Ingredients and Food Processing Exhibition or better known as GIDA 2008. Key individuals from relevant areas of interest filled the half-day interactive and moderated dialogue, focusing on issues relating to the creation of a global Halal hub, Halal standards, and Halal training in Turkey, and the growth of other Muslim markets such as South East Asia.

The dialogue commanded a good 110 participants, with the floor well represented mostly by Turkish industry leaders and policy-makers from many government sectors who understands the current situation in Turkey. Many questions and issues were raised, with most directed towards the Turkish Standards Institution concerning the ongoing developments of the Turkish Halal Food Standards.

WHF-ID bandwagon then moved on to Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. WHF-ID Bosnia were held on 7th November 2007 at Holiday Inn Sarajevo, WHF-ID Bosnia is a result of a working partnership with the Agency for Halal Quality Certification, Bosnia. The Agency, being the local partner of WHF-ID, made extra efforts to prepare promotional items such as programme booklets, buntings and badges. A full-page advertisement in full colour was placed in Bosnia’s leading newspaper, Avaz Publication, on 5th November 2007 to promote the event to local stakeholders. A live interview on the national radio network was also conducted the day before the event. With this extra awareness campaign, WHF-ID Bosnia saw attendees from Bosnia, France, Slovenia, and Croatia, commanding at a healthy attendance of 106.

Malaysian representatives from MATRADE Budapest, Embassy of Malaysia in Bosnia as well as WHF Secretariat were present. The creation of a global Halal hub, Halal certification, the role and importance of Food Safety Agency and consumer health protection in Bosnia, taking advantage of the global Halal market, and prospects for collaboration with OIC, CEFTA, and Gulf countries were covered.

Presentations on investment opportunities in Bosnia, the current state of Halal in the EU and west Balkan countries, and a case study on the trade expansion of a Halal-certified company were also presented. Mr. Amir Sakiæ, the Director of the Agency for Halal Quality Certification Bosnia, closed WHF- ID Bosnia with a presentation of results and initiatives from the Industry Dialogue. The event was yet another success for the WHF Secretariat, since the response to the dialogue was of good both in quality and quantity.

WHF-ID Singapore, held at Raffles Convention Centre on 13th December 2007, was next on the calendar. This half-day event was another success for the WHF Secretariat with moderated dialogues, including presentations and deliberations from several speakers of different backgrounds and expertise as well as networking opportunities.

The speakers shared their observations and deliberations, focusing on current global and regional Halal market, sharing experience, specific challenges, and branding and worldwide initiatives in the Halal industry. Gaining new insights on the current state of the wide-reaching Halal market, the session proceeded with a round of question and answers, presided by a panel of industry experts.

With such great response and feedback from 30 participants, the WHF-ID bandwagon left Singapore, heading home with new ideas, insights, and more current issues on the global Halal industry, which will be brought up and addressed at the World Halal Forum 2008.

At the end of year 2007, a workshop was conducted for Prima-Agri with the purpose to educate and enlighten Prima Staff, vendors, suppliers, potential clients about the concept of Halal in related industry.

The WHF-ID troops yet again went on another journey out west with the designated objective of creating understanding of different areas within the Halal industry, and investigating the heart of issues faced by industry stakeholders.

As the first WHF-ID in 2008, the bandwagon landed in the Netherlands, where the industry dialogue was held on 13th February 2008 at The Hague, to focus on Netherlands being Malaysia’s gateway for Halal trade into Europe. With insightful presentations and networking opportunities, the WHF-ID Netherlands was certainly filled with passionate yet well-intentioned deliberations by major individuals within areas of interest. One of the many highlights of the day was the presence of the Vice Mayor of the City of The Hague, Henk Kool.

He expressed gratitude that Malaysia is taking bold steps in championing the cause of Halal internationally, and reiterated the Netherlands’ supports developing the local Halal industry. The floor was opened for questions and dialogue session quickly got underway. One of the major areas discussed was many investment in logistics infrastructure in the Netherlands especially in the Halal-specific cold chain services.

Unfortunately, a lot of food manufacturers and retailers are not aware such Halal-dedicated services being available, even though they cost the same as other logistic services. It is apparent that there is a need for increased awareness of Halal in Europe for the Muslims, and even more so for manufacturers. Much useful knowledge was derived from the dialogue in further understanding issues in the Netherlands; and participants gained insights on the prospects of developing the Halal industry in the Netherlands, which will be a springboard into European countries.

A high-ranking delegation from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Bangsamoro Development Authority (BDA) of the Philippines came to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for a Halal Working Visit on Feb 2008. Sponsored by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and organised by KasehDia Sdn Bhd, the working visit began on the 10th – 14th February 2008.

The visit focus was to contribute to the Halal industry development in Mindanao; with the intention of drawing knowledge of Malaysia’s development in local Halal sector.  To fulfill its specific set objectives, this four-day working visit was filled with pre-arranged meetings with major government agencies, and private sectors, involved in the development of the Halal industry in Malaysia; making its first stop at none other than the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC).

Amongst the places visited and meetings held for the delegation throughout the first two days were with the Malaysian Islamic Chamber of Commerce (MICC), Malaysia Economic Planning Unit (EPU), Department of Standards Malaysia (DSM), and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM).

Finally, the third World Halal Forum , WHF 2008 is here, and the WHF Secretariat is breathed a short sigh of relief after the globe trotting experience, where they faced, at some destinations intense discussions and deliberations on Halal-related issues.

Although it had been a hectic 12 months for the WHF team, it had, nevertheless been a very knowledgeable, insightful and rewarding experience. Issues gathered will be deliberated and shared with the delegates and participants at the WHF 2008.

WHF 2008 Secretariat welcomes everyone to WHF 2008.