LAHORE – Pakistan can become a leader in international Halal Food trade provided government formulates supportive policies for the stakeholders. These views were expressed by the LCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh while addressing an awareness session on Halal Industry at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
LCCI Vice President Mian Zahid Jawaid Ahmad, Executive Committee Members Fiaz Haider, Zeshan Sohail Malik, Manager Training and Capacity Building Halal Research Council Khalid Hameed, Shariah Advisor Halal Research Council Mufti Raees Ahmed and Shahzad Ahmad also spoke on the occasion.
Irfan Iqbal Sheikh said that Pakistan can capture a big share for Pakistani products in the international Halal food market of over $ 1 trillions as it has the potential and required all resources.
The LCCI President said that Pakistan has a meager share despite having all resources for becoming market leader of Halal Food for the world. He said that some crucial measure by the government can help tap huge potential in this sector.
He said that promotion of Halal products should be our National Agenda as it can give a quantum jump to the exports. It is a matter of concern that there is no Muslim country included in top Halal food exporters. He said that although Pakistan has big potential of exporting Halal meat globally. With little efforts Pakistan can easily grab the international Halal food market and can triple exports of this particular sector.
He said that Pakistan’s strength is a 100 percent Halal production base, with over 200 million consumer in Pakistan and a direct access to millions Halal consumers in Central Asia, Middle East and Europe. He said that Pakistan has great opportunity to grab its share of global Halal product market by enhancing its production and improving quality.
Irfan Iqbal Sheikh said that the global Halal food market is becoming one of the fastest growing markets. Despite having best strategic position, dynamic Halal food sector and direct gateway to the millions of consumers in Central Asia and Middle East, Pakistan’s share in international Halal food trade is negligible while even a number of non-Muslim countries like Thailand are leading in this sector that should be a matter of concern for the Muslim countries.
He said that demand for Halal Products had increased manifold because of growing Muslim population world over therefore the government should encourage the export of Halal products.
He said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry is doing the needful for the promotion of Halal products but the government would have to come up with a package of incentives so that quality Halal foods could be exported from Pakistan.
The LCCI President urged the exporters to continue to explore available opportunities in the world market and focus on Research that is a must while doing business at global marketplace. He said that hand-holding by the government can help jack-up exports of Halal products to over USD 10 billion.
He said that the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, Central Asia, Europe and North Africa spend most on food and beverages therefore these regions should be targeted for Pakistani Halal products.
Irfan Iqbal Sheikh said that the government should formulate a strategy in collaboration with private sector to lift Halal food exports. Government should also hold exhibition across the world in order to provide Pakistani exporters with the opportunity to showcase their products. He also called for availing modern technologies. –PRESS RELEASE
