VISITUS - Food Business Gulf & Middle East

12NEWSHalal Food Middle East -The countdown beginsThe countdown has started for the highlyanticipated international Halal-certified foodproducts exhibition — Halal Food Middle East.The show has succeeded in generatingtremendous interest within the regional andglobal Halal industry owing to its global launchin Kuala Lumpur and promotional activitiesacross key markets.The industry has much to expect from the showdue to its potential to become a one-stop-shop forfacilitating and sourcing Halal food products.The biggest advantage the Halal Food MEwill offer you is the uniqueness of the platform -it will be held in a region that is mainly Muslimand is close to several countries with largeMuslim population such as those in the Indiansub-continent and the CIS.Moreover, all Islamic countries as well asthose nations with large Muslim populations willlook up to Halal Food ME as an event hostedin an Islamic country that is also the CulturalCapital of the Islamic World for 2014. It is alsodesignated as the Cultural Capital of the ArabWorld by UNESCO.This will ensure that Halal ME will have aready local and regional market, promisingexhibitors from Halal consuming and producingcountries a conducive atmosphere to do business.The Halal industry lacks a common globalstandard and currently oversight of Halalcertification is carried out by religious bodies ineach market. Due to differing Halal standardsnot only between countries but also within eachcountry owing to the presence of various Halalauthorities, a common certification process isyet to be drawn up.Key differences are over issues such asgelatine, food flavourings, animal enzymes,phosphates, mechanical slaughter, stunning ofanimals and the usage of thoracic stick.The lack of a unified procedure has affectedthe industry players most, and has beendescribed as the main reason that holds backthe fast growth of the industry.The convergence of leading industry playersand Halal certification bodies from across theworld will offer a platform that can chart out aplan to agree on a single global Halal standard.A two-day conference to be held alongsideHalal Food ME will be another enrichingexperience for the industry. The conference willdiscuss and analyze the industry in the areas suchas global outlook for the industry, opportunities inthe Middle East and North African countries,certification standards, food testing, processing,packing and logistics requirements.The conference will feature speakers who areexperts in their respective field of trade or serviceand are able to present their topics with utmostclarity and ease. They will include professionals,experts and businessmen who have made aname for themselves in Halal industry.More than 1.6 billion or about 23 per centof the world population are Muslims, whoremain the core market for Halal food products,indicating that Halal products, which currentlyaccount for roughly 5 per cent of total agri-foodtrade, could soon grow to account for 20% ofworld food trade.Halal food is also gaining popularity amongconsumers for a range of different reasons, suchas increasing health consciousness, fuelling thepopularity of Halal food among consumers notaffiliated with the religion.Due to strict slaughtering and processingstandards for meat and other food products,Halal foods can also appeal to consumerconcerns and perceptions for humane animaltreatment, lactose or gluten-free products, or thedesire for products seen as healthier and safer.Travelling Muslims are also creating a marketfor Halal products across the world.The launch edition of Halal Food ME will be acomprehensive platform for facilitating andsourcing the sale and purchase of food andrelated products that conform to the Shariah law.It will be the largest show of its kind in theregion featuring Halal producers, traders anddistributers from across the world offering excellentdeals on a range of products. It will also be aninternational platform to explore and discussemerging technologies, new markets, trends,issues and challenges facing the Halal industry.The show will feature Shariah-compliant foodand beverages, bakery and confectionaries, brothproducts, food ingredients, frozen food, healthproducts, herbs and spices, legumes & cereals,nuts and seeds, pastas and noodles, processed &seafood, snacks, and fruits & vegetables.It will be a must-visit event for manufacturers,trade consulates, importers, trade associations,distributors, trade consultants, wholesalers,hoteliers, exporters, restaurateurs, retailers,departmental stores, traders, investors, ministries,fund managers, government institutions, agentsand embassies.FOOD BUSINESS GULF & MIDDLE EAST OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2012