Business
KENYA: Rise in Muslim population opens business avenues in Kenya
A surge in population of Muslims in Kenya has seen many businesses repackage their products to conform to Halal standards to win more buyers. Majority of businesses in the East African nation are making products with Halal specifications in an attempt to appeal to a rising Muslim community. Halal certification is given to products, which have undergone inspection and have been found to conform to Islamic dietary beliefs and other laws, therefore, they can be lawfully be used by Muslims. Some of the products being rebranded to match up Halal specifications and conform to Shari'ah laws are cooking oil, milk, bread, spices, soaps, detergents, candies, bottled water, medicines and snacks. Others include butchers, fast food restaurants, catering services, insurance schemes, bank accounts, hospitals, medicines, hotels, lodgings and chemists. The products and services now bear the label Halal to assure the Muslim community that they have been inspected and adhere to Islamic laws. In the capital Nairobi, Kenchic is among businesses that have rebranded and included the word Halal on their products and eateries.
MALAYSIA: F&N to explore opportunities in Halal industry
Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd (F&N) will explore more opportunities in the Halal industry in order to expand its business, says chief executive officer Datuk Ng Jui Sia. "We will feel the impact of the Coca-Cola company stepping out, but it doesn't mean that we must stay at our current level. "We must transform ourselves, we should explore other opportunities by using our Halal status," he told reporters at the company's annual general meeting here Friday. The beverages group's contract with Coca-Cola expired in September last year.
THAILAND: Southern businesses push for Halal industrial estate
Business entrepreneurs and the Thai Chamber of Commerce in the South are looking to establish a Halal industrial estate in Pattani province in hopes of turning the region into a hub of Halal food. Local entrepreneurs from the five southern border provinces have discussed the preparations to establish the Halal industrial estate with representatives from the Thai Chamber of Commerce as well as the National Economic and Social Development Board. They concluded that business owners should be given support in terms of investment loan acquisition, especially under the Islamic system, as well as land development and utilisation, logistics and various business aspects.
DUBAI: Corruption rife in Dubai hotel F&B supply chain
It was reported that the head chef and the butcher at the Burj Al Arab were being tried in court for taking kickbacks of nearly AED 900,000 in return for buying poor-quality food at inflated prices from four suppliers. “It’s getting quite bad; it makes it really difficult to do business. For somebody that doesn’t have deep pockets or is not open to these unethical practices, it is very difficult,” commented one Dubai-based Halal-food supplier, who asked to remain anonymous. He said the suppliers were driving the practice of offering kickbacks: “But these individuals in the hotels shouldn’t buy into such unethical practice, and they’re the ones encouraging it by accepting it,” he added. A Dubai hotel purchase and cost control manager, who did not wish to be named said: “Kickbacks are not only in food and beverage, but also in engineering, pre-opening projects, purchase of furniture fixture and equipments and operating stocks and equipments. Kick backs are received in all levels..."
UK: Saaf Pure Skincare expanding with wider range of products
Saaf pure skincare has always been synonymous with natural ingredients that refine and restore your skin’s balance. Founded 15 years ago by Dr Mah Hussain-Gambles, Saaf has developed into an effective and ethical face and body care range that utilises organic botanicals and essential oils with added natural vitamin E. The Saaf product range is Halal certified. The company is now undergoing a considerable expansion that will result in a wider range of products, reaching new and previously untapped markets. Having recognized the huge potential of the pure skincare brand, a group of experience entrepreneurial investors has now committed the funds required to take Saaf to the next level. A small but experienced team has thus been crafted comprised of individuals with expertise in specialist sectors such as sales & marketing, intellectual property, finance, and global channels distribution. This team will now work alongside Dr Mah to complement her in-depth homeopathic and pharmacological knowledge and ability to formulate natural botanicals.
UK: Krispy Kreme proud to announce their doughnuts are Halal-certified
For a product to be Halal-certified, it must be edible, drinkable, or usable by Muslims in accordance with Islamic law. Halal refers to what is "permitted by Shariah law without punishment imposed on the doer." Krispy Kreme, though there is no change to their product, has recently had 16 doughnut varieties certified by the Halal Food Authority. UK product development manager Lucy Allard commented, "Although our doughnuts have always been suitable for a Halal diet, we know the certification means a lot to many of our customers." A campaign to advertise their new gimmick will be launched with on-counter displays of the HFA logo. (Note: The campaign does not extend to the U.S. as U.S. Krispy Kreme products are not Halal certified.)
MALAYSIA: Fahim to develop Halal Integrity Management System in Ningxia Muslim Region
Fahim Technologies Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian company, is expanding its Halal integrity management solution service to Ningxia, north-west China's Muslim autonomous region. Executive Chairman Datuk Ibrahim Ahmad Badawi, of Ibrahim Holdings Bhd, the parent company of Fahim Technologies, said Fahim worked together with the Ningxia provincial government to develop Ningxia as the first hub for its Halal integrity management solution in China via a joint-venture company, Ningxia Fahim International Halal Industry Co Ltd. He said the Chinese authorities need to address the people's misperception about food products safety in China, while China's central government thinks that Ningxia should take the lead in the Halal industry. The Halal integrity management solution could help build up credibility and confidence in safety and quality of food products in China, he said.
QATAR: Qatar's next big project – a farming sector
Qatar's energy resources have given it one of the world's highest per capita incomes. But its wealth may not be enough for the arid state to achieve its ambition to become largely self-sufficient in food. Qatar has been investing in large areas of farmland overseas to ensure access to food supplies. The agricultural arm of Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, Hassad Food, has bought land in Sudan and Australia, and has announced plans to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on agricultural projects in countries including Kenya, Brazil, Argentina, Turkey and Ukraine, says Reuters analyst Martina Fuchs in an article. Qatar also aims to produce most of its food domestically, by spending massively to boost crop yields and convert semi-desert into agricultural land.
INDONESIA: Jakarta to be world’s Halal food centre
Jakarta will be a centre of the world’s Halal food as headquarter of the World Halal Food Council (WHFC) will be officially opened on 16 January 2012. "The office, located in the MUI (Indonesian Ulema Council) Building, Central Jakarta, will be inaugurated concurrently with the opening ceremony of the WHFC annual meeting,” said the Director of MUI Food and Drug Analysis Agency (LPPOM), Lukmanul Hakim. Indonesia as a world`s Halal food centre is supported by some international Halal certification agencies such as those in United States of America, France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Australia, Taiwan and Singapore. Last year, Coordinating Minister of Economy, Hatta Rajasa, has signed the declaration that established Jakarta as the head office of the World Halal Food Council.