Business
BRUNEI: Thumbs up for Halal cosmetics
An expert in Halal cosmetics Science and technology from Japan has said that Brunei has the potential to develop its own Halal cosmetics industry. Mr Tenji Takahashi, Deputy General Manager for Research and Development at Reinhalt Corporation, Japan said Brunei is an ideal place for such an endeavour in Halal cosmetics as the nation makes it a national project to certify and thus guarantee that certain products are indeed Halal. It is accepted not only by Bruneians but also Muslims from other countries, he added. Mr Takahashi stated this while presenting his working paper entitled "Halal Cosmetics: An Expert's View and Recommendations for the Brunei's Initiatives" in a seminar held at the Radisson Hotel in the capital. The half-day seminar was organised by the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources through the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood.
U.S.A: Non-alcoholic Beverage by Scottish Distillers Appals World
First of its kind alcohol-free ’Halal whisky’, is out on sale heralding the party season. ArKay, the world’s first alcohol-free whisky, will be sold worldwide from Dec 1, and is said to look and taste just like traditional whisky. It has been declared as Halal certified, which opens up the markets in Muslim countries and the Middle East. Whisky distillers in Scotland are said to be in a state of revolt over the ’alcohol free’ creation. A Florida-based company called Scottish Spirits Ltd manufactures the non-alcoholic whisky in its Panama factories, and will be priced at 10 pounds a bottle and 4 pounds for a can.
Filed Under: Products & Services
Tatarstan is a good proposition for Muslim investors
Tatarstan’s mosques now stand harmoniously side-by-side with Orthodox churches, but it is traditionally a Muslim region and it still has a Muslim majority. This, coupled with Tatarstan’s huge development potential, makes it a good proposition for Muslim investors. Two Islamic funds have recently launched operations in Tatarstan. The first is the Malaysian private equity firm AmanahRaya Capital Group, which has already launched several projects in the republic. “We bypassed Moscow and came to Kazan, as it offers the most attractive investment climate,” says managing director Dato’ Ahmad Rodzi Pawanteh.
Filed Under: Trade & Investment
PHILLIPPINE: DOST 12 Halal industry serves both Muslim and non-Muslim markets
"While it is a duty and obligation for Muslims to promote, develop, protect and sustain Halal, Halal industry is ever more seen as an excellent opportunity for non-Muslims also to venture taking into account prospect of serving both the Muslim and non-Muslim markets," declared DOST 12 director Hadja Sittie Shayma Zenaida Hadji Raof - Laidan. Laidan who was guest of the radio program "Meet the Press," recently aired over DXCP, General Santos City and initiated by the station management and the Philippine Information Agency, said the involvement of non-Muslims in the Halal industry is also a manifestation of their concern to the Muslim culture.
Can We Really Speak of a ‘Muslim Consumer’?
When it comes to the growing arena of marketing to Muslims, the big question that the marketing industry is grappling with is: can you really speak of such a thing as a single homogeneous Muslim consumer, regardless of where they are in the world? The upcoming events of hajj and Eid ul Adha offer us an excellent perspective on the answer to this question. Whether cultural or religious by nature, whether based in the East or West, the once-in-a-lifetime journey of the hajj is deeply ingrained into Muslim life. The timing of this event, its rituals and its importance are all described very clearly in the Qur'an, the sacred book that guides Muslims in their religion. Eid ul Adha, which is marked in remembrance of the sacrifice that the Prophet Abraham was willing to make by giving up his son for God, is also shared across the global Muslim population.
PAKISTAN: Investment in Halal food can win global markets
United Kingdom, Halal meat sales amounted to $600 million annually while American Muslims spent $13 billion on Halal food per annum. Pakistan can earn heavily by investing in Halal meat production and its processing as these products have a strong appeal among consumers in international markets, with only the Halal food market of Europe is worth around $66 billion. France has the largest share of $17 billion among European markets. University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan stated this at the National Goat Show, organised by the Faculty of Animal Husbandry at the university on Saturday.
Filed Under: Trade & Investment
MALAYSIA: Chile Invites Malaysian Firms to Participate In Bids for Infrastructure Projects
Malaysian companies are invited to participate in open bids for several infrastructure projects in Chile to be announced soon. Chile's Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Fernando Schmidt said among them are three major projects which are the expansion of the international airport in Santiago; completion of the ring road for the highway in Santiago together with a tunnel; and a highway that would link Chile with Argentina together with a 50km tunnel that would cross the Andes Range. Schmidt said Chile would call for a international bid next year for the completion of the 24km ring road worth hundreds of millions of US dollars.
MALAYSIA: Mustapa Officiates Makan-Makan Bistro in Perth
Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed took time off from engaging potential investors in Perth to officiate the opening of Makan-Makan Bistro, a Malaysian restaurant located at William Street, Northbridge, Perth. Mustapa is here to attend the Commonwealth Business Forum which is held in conjunction with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The event was attended by approximately 100 Malaysians based in Perth mainly consisting of undergraduates and postgraduates from the University of Western Australia, Edith Cowen University, Curtin University and Murdoch University as well as Malaysian professionals working in Perth, according to a statement issued.
CHILE: Two Chilean Firms To Up Halal Products Export to Malaysia
Two Halal- certified Chilean firms are set to penetrate the Malaysian market with their products. Producer of “Halal” malt beverages, Maltexco SA, and exporter of mussels, St Andrews SA, is looking at increasing their exports to Malaysia next year. They are among the companies which will participate in the "Flavours of Chile" hosted by the Chilean Trade Commission on Nov 10 and 11 in Kuala Lumpur.
CHINA: South China Dept Store to Hold Malaysian Food Fair
A South China department store will introduce more Malaysian food products to the locals through its upcoming food fair. Guangdong Yihua Department Store, one of the companies awarded China's top-rated "AAA Credit Enterprise", is launching a 10-day Malaysian food fair from Nov 19 at its complex in Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province. The fair moves to Yihua’s store in three other cities in the province -- Jiangmen, Qingyuan and Shaoguan -- each lasting 10 days.