World Halal Forum
Resolutions to boost Halal industry
By Business Times
May 11, 2006, 12:18

Resolutions to boost halal industry

By Zurinna Raja Adam
zurinna@nstp.com.my

May 11 2006

THE World Halal Forum (WHF) yesterday passed two resolutions to further boost the halal industry locally, among Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) members and non-Muslim countries.

The first resolution calls for the formation of an International Halal Industry Association that comprises halal producers and service providers.

WHF chairman Khairy Jamaluddin said the association will be the voice for the global halal industry to interact with governments, halal legislators and certifying agencies.

It will also undertake the role as the platform for halal industry players to network, he said in his closing remarks at the forum in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

The second resolution is to request for a specific fund from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), to be allocated under the association, to spearhead the halal industry.

Khairy said the association will look into, among others, the lack of participation by Muslims themselves in the global halal industry, now more than 80 per cent controlled by non-Muslims.

The WHF has offered to be the secretariat of the association.

Commenting on the proposed fund, IDB regional director Ahmed Hariri said: "I think at least US$200 million to US$300 million (RM722 million to RM1.08 billion) is needed to realise the development of the halal industry globally."

The three-day forum, which ended yesterday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, had gathered more than 500 local and international halal industry players to discuss the halal framework, its standard, procedures, certification and supply chain, among others.

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