Asia
Muslim Business Forum to launch "halal" certifying body
By PIA
Jan 22, 2007, 19:28

Muslim Business Forum to launch "halal" certifying body

General Santos City (22 January) -- Finally, a halal certifying body is born in Region XII!

The Muslim Business Forum, Inc. (MBF) will soon launch the Mindanao Halal Authority (MINHA) as halal certifying body in the South Cotabato-Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani - General Santos City (SOCCSKSARGEN) region in General Santos City, opening opportunities for local companies to access the 1.9 billion potential global halal markets estimated at US$ 150 billion world trade annually.

MINHA is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as the business arm of MBF specifically taking charge of halal initiatives. “We see the launching program to facilitate the realization of our objective of becoming the forerunner of halal certification and accreditation in Region XII as well as our advocacy for developing Mindanao as halal production base” bared MBF chairman Eng’r. Mohammad Ali K. Suib.

In collaboration with competent Ulama (Muslim scholars) in the region, MBF has recently completed the Halal Standards and the corresponding operations manual. “With all these plus external supports we got from Halal Certification Authority Australia for developing technical capabilities, MINHA is more than ready to certify” Suib said.

Hajj Mohamed El-Mouelhy, Chairman of Halal Certification Authority Australia , trains the halal auditors of MINHA and will be guest of honor and speaker of the launching program.

MBF expects about a hundred participants to the launching program, including prospective clients, government officials, partners, and supporters of halal initiatives in Mindanao. A minimal registration fee of PhP 500.00 will be charged per participant.

As part of the launching activity, MINHA will conduct one-on-one consultation with participating companies that are ready to apply for halal certification. Interested parties may contact Sharon P. Alim at (6383) 301-3266 or e-mail muslimbizforum@gmail.com.

MBF is a USAID – Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) 2 assisted Business Support Organization (BSO) and a member of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (SMEDC) of General Santos City . In tandem with other halal advocates, it has been mulling over the prospects of a halal certifying body in SOCCSKSARGEN for years, resulting to the birth of MINHA. (MBF/PIA SarGen)

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