Malaysia store in Tehran to market Halal goods and services in West Asia

HDC chief executive officer Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin (left) and Neguin Group Executive Director Dr Rahman Abidin

PETALING JAYA: The Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) and Neguin Group of Companies of Iran today announced the setting up of 1Malaysia Departmental Store (1MDS) at the Tehran Mega Mall in Iran to position a more effective marketing platform for made-in-Malaysia goods for the halal consumer market in West Asia.While the Neguin Group is engaged in the setting up of the infrastructure of 1MDS, HDC is engaged in the business coaching and marketing of Malaysian SMEs into Iran and the West Asia region. 1MDS represents an excellent platform to a vast halal market potential in Iran for Malaysian SME exports estimated at RM1.85 billion over the next five years from 2011-2015.
In June this year the HDC and the Neguin Group had signed a MoU to collaborate on activities that will further the SME’s capacity-building and marketing prowess worldwide. Iran strategically provides a marketing springboard for Malaysians to reach the halal markets in and around the West Asia region.
The Neguin Group at a news conference also said that 1MDS will be opened for business in mid 2011. 1MDS is aimed to function as a shopping haven where every conceivable halal product and service can be sourced and obtained from Malaysia.
The global halal market is currently estimated at USD2.3 trillion covering both food and non-food sectors while the Iranian Halal market is estimated at USD26 billion.
Malaysian manufactured halal food and beverages, personal care and cosmetics, fashion wear, furniture, fast moving consumer goods as well as restaurants will be among the goods and services available to Iranians at this mega mall developed and built by the Neguin Group.
Speaking at a news conference, HDC chief executive officer Dato’ Seri Jamil Bidin said, “Further to the signing of the MoU, several seminars will take place to offer SMEs market intelligence on doing business there as well as quality marketing strategies and retail programmes required to make the collaboration successful.”
The first of these seminars entitled, ‘The New Halal Frontier Market – Iran and West Asia’ is opened to 350 Malaysian SMEs by public invitation. It will also be attended by the top 20 Iranian retailers and buyers plus representatives from the Iranian Chambers of Commerce who are expected to ‘meet-and-match’ products and services for the Iranian market and beyond.
The Trade seminar and the buying-mission activities will be organised at Matrade, Kuala Lumpur from 24 -25 November 2010 from 8.00 am – 6.00 pm daily.
“At the seminar, a trade export value targeted at RM35 million is to be captured at the end of the meet-the-buyer session while a sales export value targeted at RM15 million with Neguin is also expected at the Malaysian Halal showcase event,” said Datuk Seri Jamil.
“The upcoming seminar is one of many initiatives that the HDC would like to develop and see expanded, as Malaysian companies take to the international arena and penetrate into overseas markets in a more tangible way. We have undertaken considerable marketing intelligence and for Phase 1 of our overall development, we have chosen to focus on Iran and West Asia.
“HDC itself has charted a long term plan covering the same period as the 10th Malaysia Plan, that is from now until 2015. We have identified several areas that we would like to grow and facilitate in a more in-depth fashion for our target groups, particularly the SMEs. Through business matching to be fulfilled at the seminar, we will be able to drive home the collaboration for understanding the marketing requirements in Iran and West Asia more closely.
“The time has come for both Malaysian SMEs to directly meet and interface the Iranian counterparts and establish our local Halal brands with impact and great returns,” said Seri Jamil.
“We are ready to support over 700 high quality export ready SME products with varying Stock-Keeping Units (SKU) across clusters and sectors,” he added.
“This programme with Iran has been researched and thoroughly planned; our market thrust underlies two major activities: firstly, getting the proper consumer recognition for our Malaysian made goods and services particularly for the Halal sector, and secondly, building the SME capacity and retail penetration into new markets. We believe that this collaboration with Iran will bring in full dividends,” said Seri Jamil.
On the 1MDS project, halal goods and services will be given a new shopping impetus and international attention. The industry needs this boost in order to serve the consumer market and industry more efficiently. There is an estimated 3 billion Muslims around the world who would be keen to explore value-add halal products and services that can enrich their lifestyles.
Malaysia’s halal certification is recognised worldwide among Muslim and Non-Muslim countries. It is of ISO compliant standard – MS1500: 2009 (Second Revision) – Standard for the Production, Preparation, Handling and Storage of Halal food, developed by Standards Malaysia. The standard complies with international standards such as Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Hygiene Practice (GHP).
Iran is ranked as the second-largest economy in the Middle East and North Africa in terms of GDP – after Saudi Arabia – at about USD330 billion in 2009 and in terms of population – after Egypt – at about 73 million people.

UAE: Trend of Halal cosmetics

In a luxury resort in Dubai, Emirati wait next to the bronze statue of the ancient Egyptian Queen Cleopatra, smile and wait for the routine treatment of their weekend beauty treat. The resort is different from the others in which it uses some skin care products based on minerals and pork-free and alcohol-free materials as what Reuters reported yesterday (09-11-2010).
Charlotte Proudman, the products supplier, wants to obtain the statement that these products in accordance with Syariah Islamiyah (Islamic law) to join the growing trend on Halal cosmetics consumption in the Middle East. The Proudman said at the spa, which uses the range she launched in 2008: “I want to put this on the cover of our packages so our clients are convinced that our products are Halal and until they trust that these products meet their religious belief”. She added: “I really feel that Halal cosmetic have a future. I don’t think that any Muslim or Muslimah would abandon his/her trust on skin care product because they make him/her feel comfortable.”
The Halal cosmetic are produced using the extract of plants and minerals and not from the pork and alcohol derivatives forbidden in Islam which often used in cosmetics manufacturing.
The attractiveness of Halal cosmetics reflects the global trend of cosmetic products -which are not tested on animal or utilizing the animal substances- and also the increasing demand of some beauty care based on natural ingredients and gentle for hair and skin. This trend gets wondrous fascination from Muslim people in Europe, since it protects from every harmful action toward the environment.

Iran: The Report of the 5th Supreme Halal Council

The Fifth Supreme Halal Council was held with the presence of the members of this council in Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines (ICCIM). The agenda of this meeting was presenting the report of the adopting OIC Halal Food Standard in the 26th Session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, on 5-8 October 2010 in Istanbul-Turkey, the procedures of implementation of this standard in different countries and surveying the plan of establishing Halal Research Center.
At first, Dr. Nahavandian, the Head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines, has enumerated the most important events as the adopting of Halal food standard by OIC member countries in the scope of Unity of Islamic Schools of Thought and said: “It is the first practical step of unity.
This unity will guarantee emphasizing on All Commons Islamic Values without deterring of each school of thought from their beliefs”. He said that this procedure is an effective way for agreement on the other points which should follow by the religious experts. Also he expressed his gratitude of all council members who were partaken in this great success. In this meeting, the letter of Ayatollah Safi Golpayegani addressed to the Head of council was read which included thanks of the efforts for adopting united Halal standard. Ayatollah Alemi, the representative of Supreme Leader in Jihad, added that after this success, there are many things which should be implemented and to make them practical in the international area. Mr. Kermanshahi, the representative of Trade Development Organization, has declared that considering to the clause of promotion and development of brand culture in the country, Halal brand is the first brand which is in the line of full supporter of this movement and asked to prepare the support package of this plan. It was confirmed to prepare a support package consisting of activities related to Halal brand and the Trade Development Organization will support it.
The next issue was presenting a report of adopting OIC Halal food standard in COMCEC 2010 to the member’s council which was presented by Dr. Mohammad Hossein Shojaei. Then “the plan of establishing Research Halal Center” was discussed. After presenting the ideas of attendants from Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education, Jihad of Agriculture, Iran Chamber, Ministry of Commerce and ICRIC’s advisors the principle of establishing Research Halal Center was confirmed totally and it was assigned that the details of this plan will be discuss in the next meeting.
About executive process and the implementation of Halal standard in different countries the council has launched a committee to survey the plan of informing this event in different countries. This committee will study and choose the best way and it will notify this standard to all countries in the world for implementation

Call for fostering awareness about halal products

KARACHI: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan has called for fostering awareness regarding the halal certified products.
He was talking to a delegation of the Halal Development Council (HDC) which called on him at the Governor House here on Monday under the leadership of Barrister Habibur Rehman. The delegation apprised the governor of the steps being undertaken by the HDC for the introduction of the hilal certified products in the country.

It was also pointed out that the hilal products have a huge market the world over. The delegation said that Pakistan should also play a role in this respect. Dr Ibad said that the recommendations of the HDC would be quite beneficial

Russia: Halal industrial park opens in Tatarstan

Russia’s first halal industrial park opened on Friday in Tatarstan.
According to the press service of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of that republic.
“Halal” in Arabic translates as “tolerated”, that is, products manufactured strictly according to the canons of Shari.
It is not just about the finished product, but also the raw materials, meat, flour, spices and fabrics.
In the industrial park they only produce halal foods, including meat.
Russia is the home to 20 million Muslims, and there are over 1.5 billion consumers of halal products in the world.

Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center in Bali Goes ‘Halal’

Underlining the growing role of the Indonesian domestic market, now estimated to represent nearly 60% of all visitors to Bali, a leading four-star property in the capital city of Denpasar has obtained Halal Certification from the Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI).

Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center is a 300-key condominium style hotel offering the largest conference and convention hotel in Denpasar with a conference hall capable of accommodating up to 2,000 people.
Halal Certification – means the kitchen, food preparations, supply chains and menus of the hotel have all been inspected and certified to confirm to strict requirements for compliance with Islamic dietary traditions.
While “Halal Certification” is still very rare on Bali where the predominant religion is Hinduism, the move by the Aston Denpasar Hotel may provide a distinct advantage to the property in securing domestic Indonesian groups and lucrative government meetings and seminars.

Shown on Balidiscovery.com the General Manager, Irmansjah Mahdewa, receiving the hotel Halal certification from the MUI and a group picture of the hotel’s senior staff marking the occasion.

USA: 10 Facts about the Muslim Consumer

The total global Muslim population is 1.6 billion, around 25% of the world’s population today.  It’s expected to be nearly 50% of world population by 2050 if it continues to outpace global population growth by 1.5x-2x.  The Muslim household on average is around 5 people per family compared to the United States at 2.6 people.
2.  The typical Muslim demographic is younger.  For example, in the Middle East, North Africa and the South Asian region, the focal geography of SM Advisory Group, almost 50% of the population is under the age of 25. Furthermore with a rising middle class and adoption of modern and urban trends the consumption potential is very attractive for decades to come.
3.  The global shariah-compliant market is more than $2 trillion annually. This includes all products and services that a Muslim community would be a natural consumer of and includes halal food as well as Islamic banking.
4.  The halal food market is approximately $632 billion or 16% of the global food industry.  This already being a significant portion but also take into account the exponential growth rate of Muslims, therefore one can predict that the halal food industry will also grow to meet the needs of this booming population.
5.  The Islamic finance market is estimated at $1 trillion. Islamic funds are only around $55 billion worldwide compared to conventional market at $22 trillion therefore as Islamic finance matures the upside to raising new capital and expanding the Islamic banking universe is significant.
6.  US Muslims alone have a buying power of around $200 billion or $25,000 per capita. If the average Muslim population reaches even one fourth of the US Muslim consumer, spending level the global Muslim consumer spending would be around $10 trillion annually.
7.  According to a recent gallup study, Muslim Americans have the least amount of income disparity between the genders.  The Muslim American community also happens to be the most ethnically diverse.
8. Muslims account for 16% of the $100 billion Kosher market because of limited halal products, therefore just as a starting point there appears to be an established $16 billion food market in the US ripe for halal food manufacturers.
9.  Ad spending in the Arab world is $6 per capita compared to North America at $369, Europe $117, Asia $23 and Africa $7, hence for marketers and advertising firms there is an untapped market completely.
10. Nestle is one of the largest halal food manufacturers with halal sales of more than $5 billion.  75 out of 481 Nestle factories produce halal food worldwide. Halal food is approximately 5% of Nestle’s sales.  As companies look to take advantage of growth in the Muslim consumer market it is quite likely that they focus on bespoke marketing on everything from pharmaceuticals to insurance and baby formula.

Tesco adds seven ranges to ethnic line-up

Tesco has dramatically beefed up its ethnic food offering with the launch of seven new ranges.
The supermarket giant is adding specialist Turkish, Sri Lankan, Latin, Filipino, African, South African and Greek-Cypriot ranges to a roster that already includes Asian, Oriental, Afro-Caribbean, Kosher, Polish, and Halal foods.
The new ranges will debut at the Tesco Extra stores in Wembley and Slough before being extended across the UK.
Tesco said it had doubled the number of ethic foods in the past year to 1,600 lines, while volumes had grown by more than a third (35%) over the period.
“Britain is one of the most ethnically diverse nations on earth and there is a very strong, growing demand from people who have settled here to buy food from their homelands,” said Tesco ethnic food buyer Muhammad Rahman.
“In just four years our Polish range has developed from just 20 products in 2006 to 260 and from being sold initially in 100 stores to nearly 600 now.”
He added: “There is also a natural curiosity from shoppers to try other cuisines – especially with interesting-looking sauces, condiments, vegetables, tinned products and sweets

MoU signed Between Halal Research Council and Malaysia

The ceremony held during International Conference on Halal Industry at Expo Centre Lahore and Zubair Mughal, CEO, Halal Research Council Pakistan and Haji Abdul Malik Kassim, State Minister for Religious Affairs & Domestic Trade Penang- Malaysia

Lahore (Press Release) “International Conference on Halal Industry” was organized today at Expo Centre, Lahore – Pakistan. The conference was inaugurated by Haji Abdul Malik Kassim, State Minister for Religious Affairs, Domestic Trade & Consumer Affair Penang Govt.- Malaysia in which speakers and researchers from America, Australia, U.A.E., Romania, U.K. and South Africa participated to deliver their valuable knowledge& Research about Halal Industry. The point of interest was the MoU signing ceremony between Halal research Council and Malaysia for the promotion of Halal industry, the establishment of Halal Industrial Park, the easy availability of Pakistani Halal products in Malaysian market and the exhibition of Pakistani Halal certified products in Malaysian market.

Addressing to the audience, Haji Abdul Malik Kassim, Religious Affairs, Domestic Trade & Consumer Affair Penang Govt.- Malaysia said that the MoU signing is a very significant occasion. He further added that Halal food market is very rapidly increasing market and Malaysia is playing a momentous role in this regard. During the occasion, Muhammad Zubair Mughal, Chief executive Office, Halal Research Council, Pakistan said that the MoU will prove to be a bridge between Pakistan and Malaysian market through which we will be able to brand our products on International platforms. He said that the main purpose of this conference is to introduce Pakistan among international market so that it could play its technical & Shariah role in this highly distinguished market of more that one trillion dollars worth.

Many national and international speakers delivered their valuable research works and speeches on this international conference in which Haji Bill Yahya Ibrahim Aossey, Founder and Senior Director, Regional Representative Islamic services Of America America, Engr. Shaukat Hussain, Director General, Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC), Islamabad, Pakistan. Mr. Alaa Kamal, Regional Representative, Of Islamic Service of America Dubai, Dr Muhammad M Khan, Food Technologist, (Canada), Executive Director, Halal Australia Halal Consultant Australia, Mr.Dorin Ecea, Development of the Halal Industrial Park, Halal Assets Council in Romania, Romania, Haji Abdul Malik Kassim, Minster of Religious Affairs, Penang- Malaysia, Mr.Hamid Ahmad, Halal Slaughter and Animal Welfare, Ex-Principal Scientific Officer, Biotech. and Food Research Centre, Pakistan Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (PCSIR), Lahore, Dr.Hamid Talil, Chief Executive officer, Lahore Meat Company, Lahore, Dr.Shazad Afzal, Director, Pakistan Standards & Quality Control Authority, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of Pakistan, Lahore, Dr. Zubair Usmani, Shariah Advisor, MCB Limited. Pakistan, Capt. M. Jamil Akhtar Khan, Managing Director, Universal Insurance Company, Mr.Raheel Iqbal, Chief Executive Officer, Halal Industry Research Centre, Karachi-Pakistan. Prof. Dr. Faqir M. Anjum, Director General, National Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad- Pakistan, Prof. Dr. Javaid A Awan, Country Director, Islamic Food & Nutrition Council of America, Dr .Shahid Raza, Chairman, Bio world Forum. Pakistan, Mr. Mashood Ahmed Siddiqui, Manager products, Vectra foods, Karachi-Pakistan, Dr. Muhammad Jamil Khattak, Chairman Department of Microbiology & Biotechnology Kohat University, Pakistan and other speakers participated their thoughts on Halal Industry, Halal Food, Halal Tourism, Halal Slaughtering and Halal Banking etc. It is to note that Halal Research Council is an organization working nationally and internationally on Halal certification and accreditation, research and education.