IHMC 2009 Opens New Chapter for Brunei Halal Agenda
By The Halal Journal Team & Imarat Consultants published 3 years ago
Original Article Source: The Halal Journal Sept/Oct 2009
Filed Under: International Halal Market Conference 2009
The 4th International Halal Market Conference (IHMC 2009) in Brunei Darussalam opened on 1st August to a packed auditorium, with all 450 seats taken to hear Brunei’s Ambassador-At-Large for Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, HRH Princess Hajah Masnah binti Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, deliver the keynote address.
Brunei’s focus on developing the Halal sector is based on a three-fold approach. Firstly, it is taken as a fardu kifaya responsibility for the Malay Islamic Monarchy; secondly, it is a means to diversify the national economy; and thirdly, Halal can be a means of developing the SME sector.
The conference theme, “Halal – an engine of growth and opportunity” covered a good spectrum of global themes, and at the same time provided a good platform for Brunei to showcase their recent achievements in the Halal sector.
With the recently signed joint venture project between the Brunei government and KerryFSDA of Hong Kong to form Ghanim International Food Corporation, the audience were keen to hear the presentations about the overall Brunei Halal agenda, Ghanim’s approach to the international markets, and the progress with the Halal Agro-Technology Park, which is now about to enter the next phase of development. There was also a preview of the new Brunei standard for pharmaceuticals, traditional and herbal medicines.
The following day and a half were taken up with international issues covering ethics and morality; new corporate models and CSR initiatives; opportunities in the pharmaceutical sector; Halal standards development under the OIC; how to turn SME’s into Halal champions; how standards compliance can boost sales; and new developments in Halal science.
The final session was an open discussion on how Halal can be an engine of growth in a turbulent global economy, along with a round up of reports from the UK and Europe, South Africa, the Philippines, and Australia.
Departing delegates reported a high degree of satisfaction with the overall organisation, content and speakers, plus a CD of all the presentations in soft copy. An impressive 100 per cent of those polled expressed a desire to return next year, so the decision to use the newly-built conference and expo centre at Jerudong for the IHMC 2010 looks like being a wise choice. Mark down 5-6 June 2010 in your calendar today!