Major new event showcases USD2.1 trillion Halal industry

A major new event held in the UAE later this year will spotlight the booming Halal market at a time when global estimates find the industry worth an estimated US $2.1 trillion a year and growing at US$500 billion annually due to an ever-increasing Muslim population.

Halal World Expo, the most comprehensive Middle East event to focus on the increasingly global Halal industry, will take place from 9-11th of December in Abu Dhabi at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The event is aiming to bring together worldwide industry giants in the first event of its kind in the region that covers all sectors and focus areas of the Halal market.

Exhibiting at Halal World Expo will provide producers and distributors of Halal products with the opportunity to meet industry peers and International Halal authorities, to network and create further business opportunities. Halal World Expo will present on international platform in which this may be achieved.

As the Middle East positions itself as one of the premier users of quality Halal products with its dense concentration of Muslim consumers, there is huge potential for the Halal industry across the GCC to produce and distribute high quality, regulation certified Halal products throughout the region.

The Halal food market which is currently worth US$150 billion a year will form a huge focus of the event with exhibitors from the areas of food production, canned products, agricultural products, dairy and meat products to name but a few participating in the exhibition.

It is often taken for granted that processed food and products available in supermarkets of an Islamic country like the UAE are fully Halal compliant unless stated as being for ‘non muslim’ consumption or use. While there are currently systems in place to protect the consumer in the UAE, the fast growth pattern that is currently being experienced in the Halal consumer market means there is a growing demand for a globalised standard across all Halal products.

Halal World Expo will provide a platform for organisations to meet; debate and discuss these standards, regulations and explore options into globalising this industry which is fast growing momentum.

The exhibition will also be looking at Halal lifestyle products including Islamic fashion, cosmetics, a market worth AED 2.06 billion in the UAE alone and other health care products, as there has been a growing demand in the UAE towards items that are Halal compliant.

Islamic Finance, which is currently worth between US$200 and $500 billion annually and a consistently growing interest for financial market across the world, will also be a focus of the exhibition. Islamic Finance is of interest to the Halal industry as many companies involved in the Halal market will be seeking Shari’a compliant financial products and services.

Christine Weaver, Exhibition Director of Halal World Expo said: “By focusing on globalising quality Middle East Halal products we will offer both regional and international exhibitors a gateway to penetrate the Middle East and international markets. This direct route provides a cost-effective platform for exhibitors to market their products and services to an ever increasing demand in a world-wide industry.”

Originating from the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Halal World Expo will be the most comprehensive event dedicated to the Halal marketplace.

The event is featuring an international Halal Forum, Global Halal and Islamic Business Forum which will run alongside the Halal World Expo, and will take place from the 9 - 11 December 2007 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The forum will have a holistic approach and will focus on the Halal industry from a business perspective. It will enable business professionals from finance and banking, food and beverage, textile, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, property, travel, leisure and healthcare to discover the best practice in Halal and Islamic business. For more information please log on to www.halalworldexpo.com.