Tajikistan certifies halal food

"[Eating halal food] is one of the main rules for observing Sharia," Council of Ulema Deputy Chairman Abdulbasir Saidov told Central Online.

Six Tajik food producers already meet the new standards, said Narzullo Sharipov, chief of Tajikstandart, the government agency for overseeing compliance with various standards, and the food is expected to gain prevalence.

The government developed the halal standard over the past two years with help from the Tajik Council of Ulema, the Health Ministry, the Committee for Religious Affairs and the Agriculture Ministry Veterinary Service, as well as by reviewing neighbouring countries' experience, Sharipov said.

Halal food may not contain any haram (forbidden) components, such as pork or meat from animals slaughtered by suffocation, electrocution or a blow; and a Muslim must perform the slaughter, pronouncing Allah's name during the process, Saidov said.

The requirements apply across food categories, including meat, bread, baked goods, dairy products and non-alcoholic drinks, Tohir Mudinayev, another Tajikstandart official, added.

"Permission to use the halal label for one year is granted by a special Tajikstandart committee, including specialists from Tajikstandart and from the Tajik Council of Ulema," Sharipov said. "Today, Tajikstandart quite strictly monitors certified Tajik halal producers' compliance with the requirements. They have to sell off all their older food before using the label."

Both producers and consumers to benefit

Two factors drove Tajikstandart to develop its own halal standard, Sharipov said. First, some food carrying haram components – like genetically modified organisms and chemical dyes – appeared; second, customers demanded it.

Although Tajikistan previously produced and imported food called halal, no official Tajik body set a standard, meaning some food might have been called halal by mistake, he said.

The Council of Ulema welcomes the move, Saidov said.

"Many Tajik residents constantly run into the problem of buying halal food," he said. With limited producers and distributors of halal food and no proper certification process, consumers in the past often turned to foreign suppliers. "First, this impairs the growth of Tajik producers, and secondly, imported food costs much more," he said.

Enforcing the standards will give consumers "some sort of a guarantee … against dishonest producers," Akhad Sadykov, a journalist who writes commentary on religious matters, told Central Asia Online.

"Producers of halal food are working not just to make some money but also to improve their image," he said. "This is particularly important in Tajikistan, where most of the population is Muslim."

Locals react favourably

Many Tajik producers were complying with halal requirements even before the government issued a standard, 29-year-old Dushanbe resident Sitora Nazarova told Central Asia Online.

"For a long time now, I have been buying only meat and dairy products labelled 'halal.' … My husband strictly adheres to the requirements, so our family observes them all," she said. However, she said she is happy it will now be regulated.

Abdudzhalol Shodiyev, who has been producing "Pokiza" sausage for 15 years, marked his products as halal almost from the start.

"Though Tajikistan hadn't adopted the standard when I started making sausage, as a devout Muslim, I observed all the requirements," he said.

Shodiyev intends to expand production now that the standard has taken effect. "I'm thinking about re-equipping the entire plant to meet the new requirements," he said. "I think the cost will be high but recoverable, because the demand for halal food is growing in Tajikistan every day."

One place selling halal food is the modest-sized Mekhrob shop, which has enjoyed a strong reputation for many years. Last year the shop owner performed the Hajj. Now, with the introduction of the official halal standard, he has decided to sell only halal food.

"All our food, which is mainly produced in Tajikistan, meets the halal standard," shop assistant Nosir Khamdanov said.

D’Light Bread House & Café gets halal certification

MIRI: The D’Light Bread House & Café at Riam Commercial Centre received its Halal certification from the Sarawak Islamic Religious Department (Jais), Miri last Wednesday.

Outlet manager Jenny Kong said the certificate was officially presented to the outlet during a fast-breaking ceremony organised for Jais Miri.

Present to hand over the certificate to outlet director Lana Lim was Jais assistant director-general (Northern Zone) Ustaz Jamaludin Taim.

Being one of the fine restaurants in Miri, D’Light Bread House & Café offers a whole range of local dishes, which includes Daging Masak Rendang, Mee Jawa, Nasi Goreng Kampung, Lelapan.

“We also serve western meals like lamb chops, chicken chops, fish and chips, pizzas and pasta,” said Jenny.

Located at Riam Commercial Centre, Hilltop Garden, D’Light Bread House & Café also caters for private functions such as birthday parties, theme parties, club dinner, and any special occasion.

Buffet dining can also be held at the restaurant upon request. The restaurant opens daily from 7am to 10pm.

The storm in the kebab shop: The great halal debate returns

Religiously-slaughtered meat is the summer's hot topic as politicians debate the impact of praying over a dying animal.

The subject of religiously-slaughtered meat has filled newspaper headlines this summer, as politicians return to the debate about how far Danes should go to accommodate imported religious norms.

The focus of the media attention is meat that is slaughtered according to Islamic halal principles and that concern that Danes are either eating it without knowing it or are forced to eat it at public institutions.

In a series of articles, the tabloid Ekstra Bladet reported that almost all Danish chickens are halal (despite the same story making the rounds over two years ago), that  Hvidovre Hospital has only served halal meat for the past decade and that several daycares in Greater Copenhagen have opted to stop serving pork and only serve halal meat. Ekstra Bladet's reporting even resulted in two employees of a meat retailer being assaulted for selling meat with traces of pork, a non-halal meat, to kebab shops. 

The right-wing Dansk Folkeparti (DF) expressed horror at the developments and argued that it is simply another case in which Danes are forced to accept foreign norms, pointing to the recent case in which an Islamic school examiner refused to shake hands with his female students.

DF has had enough, and today their immigration spokesperson called for legislation to force public employees to conform to Danish cultural values and norms.

“If people don’t conform [to Danish practices] they should be given an official reprimand,” Martin Henriksen told public broadcaster DR. “Most people will then conform but if they don’t, and insist that their culture should be all-dominating, then the severest consequence should be that they would lose their job.”

A spokesperson for the Konservative party, Tom Behnke, sympathised with Henriksen’s suggestion.

“The limit is reached when I, as a Dane, am forced to live in a completely different way than I have up until now,” Behnke told DR. “I won’t accept that. It’s fine to be respectful of the religious beliefs of others, but I am not in favour of forcing me and my children to comply with their rules.”

The story that never dies

Looking through the online archives of Danish newspapers, it is evident that the debate about halal has returned regularly over the past decade.

The fuss is about the way in which animals are slaughtered. For meat to be halal, a prayer must be said as the animal is slaughtered by having its throat cut with a sharp knife, leading the animal to bleed to death, in a process known as exsanguination.

In Denmark, all animals are sedated before they are slaughtered. Chickens are stunned by being drawn through charged water while cattle are stunned with a bolt gun placed to the animal’s head.

While EU regulations allow for the religious slaughter of animals that aren’t stunned, animal welfare organisation Dyrenes Beskyttelse states that they don’t know of any Danish slaughterhouses which do not stun their animals.

As a result, the debate over halal has little to do with animal welfare and everything to do with whether Danes should be forced to eat meat that has been prayed over before it was killed.

Chief opposition party Venstre argues that the prayer might make all the difference in the world for consumers and are now calling for halal-slaughtered meat to be labelled – a proposal Venstre voted against in 2007 and which the current government does not support.

“I don’t really mind if meat is halal or not,” Hans Christian Schmidt (Venstre), the former agriculture minister and a member of parliament’s agriculture committee, told Jyllands-Posten newspaper. “What is important is that consumers are given as much information as possible. The government says that people can’t cope with so much labelling, but who says this is true? Why should the state decide this?”

Writing in her blog for Berlingske, DF’s Marie Krarup argued that Denmark should not accept the special needs of a minority because of practical considerations as it would set a precedent that will only lead to more demands for special treatment.

“[They will set demands] on how to decorate our workplaces, to ban interest payment, to change our calendar to suit the Muslim calendar, how to dress in Muslim ghettos etc,” she wrote. “If we give in to one demand, we will end up giving in to more.”

But the fears of the right-wing parties are not shared by the government. On the issue of labelling halal meat, the acting agricultural spokesperson for the Socialdemokraterne, Orla Hav, said his party will only take it up if consumers demand it.

“Our main priority is to inform the public about issues that can effect their health, and about whether the food is organic,” Hav told Jyllands-Posten. “But there are limits to how much labelling can be introduced before it confuses consumers. And the method of slaughter does not rank high for us.”

Consumer protection or xenophobia?

Danish animals are stunned before slaughter, but that is not always the case in Europe. Per Clausen of far-left party Enhedslisten (EL) argues that this is problematic.

“The problem is that we don’t have the opportunity to label meat from other EU countries, either by its nationality or any other method," Clausen told Berlingske. "It means that we are importing meat into Denmark that is probably slaughtered in cruel ways. I don’t know how many EU countries have these sorts of rules and I have asked the [agriculture] minister to address this. But there is no doubt that there are many countries in which anaesthetics are not used.”

Clausen said EL would rather have a debate about overall animal welfare rather than an insignificant prayer made as a stunned animal dies.

Centrist coalition partner Radikale went straight for the jugular, arguing that the debate about halal meat presented no ethical questions regarding animal welfare and was instead founded on xenophobia.

“The debate demonstrates a fear of Muslims and foreigners, especially on the part of Dansk Folkeparti,” Radikale's agricultural spokesperson, Rasmus Helveg Petersen, told Ekstra Bladet. “It is not based on fact and they ought to be ashamed.”

The past week’s debate about halal resulted in today’s call by DF and Konservative to protect Danish cultures and norms through legislation.

But Trine Bramsen, the immigration spokesperson for Socialdemokraterne, condemned the proposal, arguing that the Danish culture was strong enough to protect itself.

“The proposal from these two parties is peculiar because it seems to suggest that the Danish culture is weak and cannot cope on its own,” Bramsen told DR. “Are we going to force Danes to eat meatballs and dance around the Christmas tree? What if we don’t? Are we going to introduce a culture police? I don’t see the purpose of the law and I don’t know who will define what Danish culture is. Of course public institutions should have the option not to use certain symbols and foods and those decisions are best made by the institutions themselves.”

Expert: Halal slaughter helps prevent infectious diseases

The rising acceptance of halal meat due to its scientific and hygienic slaughtering and processing methods is spicing up the US 600 billion global halal meat market impressively.

Studies have shown that halal slaughter protects consumers from many diseases which are not possible in the conventional methods used in many countries.

Ahead of a key halal conclave in Sharjah, experts opine that halal slaughter of animals has a great role in preventing infectious diseases, and is seen one of the main reasons for the popularity of the product even among non-Muslims.

“The way the slaughtering process is carried out is of significant importance for both human health and safety and quality of the meat. Halal slaughter involves cutting of jugular veins, throat and esophagus, which facilitates draining of blood from the animal and thus prevents growth and multiplication of harmful micro-organisms,” said Dr. Ibrahim Hussein Ahmed Abd El Rahim, Professor of Infectious Diseases, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah Al-Mukarama, Saudi Arabia.

“Prevention of neck separation is very important to complete the bleeding process to remove all the blood from carcass. Blood is a typical media for proliferation of different kinds of microbes, therefore its complete removal from the slaughtered animal is vital to protect consumers from infectious diseases,” he said.

Dr. Ibrahim Hussein Ahmed Abd El Rahim will be attending the upcoming Halal Congress Middle East that will be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from December 16 to 18, 2013. It will be organized alongside the 2nd OIC Halal Middle East Exhibition which is held under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

Globally, the halal market that spans from food to finance and tourism is worth US 3 trillion. According to latest estimates, halal products have two billion consumers worldwide that grows more than 20 per cent annually.

Realizing the importance of the subject, a panel discussion will be dedicated to the science behind halal during the three-day congress. To be chaired by Shawky Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam, Sheikh Al-Azhar, Grand Mufti of Egypt, the discussion will take up issues of stunning, mechanical slaughtering, tasmiah and animal feed, among others.

Panelists for the discussion include Mufti Taqi Usmani from Pakistan; Mufti Mustafa Ceric from Bosnia; Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, from Russia, Mr. Nabil A Molla, Secretary General of GCC Standardization Organization and Dr. Abdulqahir Mohammad Qamar of International Islamic Fiqah Academy, Saudi Arabia.

It will also feature representatives from the Standards and Metrology Institute for the Islamic Countries; Emirates Standards & Metrology Authority-UAE; National Accreditation Council-Pakistan; JAKIM – Halal Certification Authority-Malaysia; MUI – Majlis Ulema-Indonesia; and Halal Science Center-Thailand.

Besides, reflecting the surging trade between the region and Australia, Meat and Livestock Australia, has signed up as Platinum Sponsor to talk about the Goodness of Australian Meat.

The association of Meat and Livestock Australia with the congress comes at a time when Australia’s red meat exports to the Middle East in May this year totaled 16,492 tonnes, a 46 per cent increase year-on-year and 7 per cent above the previous record set in April 2013, according to Meat and Livestock Australia figures.

Other topics to be taken up for discussion at the congress include tapping the growing halal trade; halal cosmetics, pharmaceuticals & tourism; benefits of halal certification; Islamic banking & takawful; technology for halal food traceability and harmonization of halal standards.

GrubHub reports growth in Pakistani, African and Halal cuisine

GrubHub, an online and mobile food ordering service, has released new data that reveals year-over-year growth in nontraditional ethnic cuisine orders.

According to a company news release, GrubHub's order data reveals that Americans' takeout orders have extended beyond traditional pizza and Pad Thai, with Pakistani, Caribbean and Halal cuisines experiencing "significant" lifts in order popularity.

GrubHub analysts examined year-over-year orders in more than 500 cities across the country. While Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Mexican are the most popular ethnic cuisines, respectively, the following cuisines are experiencing the most significant growth in popularity this year.

• Pakistani: Almost 97 percent more popular;
• Caribbean: More than 68 percent more popular;
• Halal: Almost 40 percent more popular;
• Spanish: more than 36 percent more popular; and
• African: More than 30 percent more popular.

Hola restaurant to introduce halal Mexican to Plymouth Rd.

It's not often that a genuinely new genre of food finds its way into the diverse Ann Arbor restaurant scene, but restaurateur Ali Hijazi believes his new venture, Hola, will be serving the city's first halal Mexican food.

 

Though the concept is new, Hijazi is confident Hola will be a great fit – and he knows a thing or two about both restaurants and the neighborhood. 

 

"I live in this neighborhood," says Hijazi, who has been in the restaurant business for two decades. "I know what additions will make the community here happy to see."

 

Hola is expected to open in August in a 2,200 square-foot location on Plymouth Rd. between the Songbird Café and Curry Up restaurants. The former office space has been under renovation for some time.

 

Hijazi is working with a Mexican business partner who will specialize in the food end of the business. As Hola becomes established, the partners plan to expand into breakfast and late night food, as well as expand their staff, which will begin with the partners and family help. 

 

"We'll let the food and the service talk about itself," Hijazi says. "We're trying to make it a very nice addition to the north campus area."

Studies say Halal meat is healthier

Muscat: The rising acceptance of halal meat due to its scientific and hygienic slaughtering and processing methods is spicing up the $600 billion global halal meat market impressively.

Studies have shown that halal slaughter protects consumers from many diseases which are not possible in the conventional methods used in many countries.  

"Halal slaughter involves cutting of jugular veins, throat and oesophagus, which facilitates draining of blood and thus prevents growth and multiplication of harmful micro-organisms," says Dr Ibrahim Hussein Abd El Rahim, professor of Infectious Diseases, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah Al Mukarama, Saudi Arabia.

MINDANAO: With the construction of a halal slaughterhouse in Mindanao underway, the Philippines’ halal agri-products are in for a supportive boost, giving added credibility for the country to participate in the global US$2.3 trillion (RM7 trillion) industry.
Although under reported by media on the archipelago, halal agri-commodities in the Philippines contribute substantially to the economy.
The Department of Agriculture said that in 2010 the industry was worth US $150 billion (RM450 billion).
The Philippines’ halal industry, centered in Mindanao, has already drawn international attention, with the UAE eying investment in halal poultry, the fastest growing halal agri-product in the country.
However, the deal has yet to solidify itself in any concrete manner, an opportunity for the US$1 million abattoir to turn the tables.
The 3.7 hectare halal abattoir is located in Cotabato City, which is part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Mindanao is home to 2.2 million of the country’s Muslims and has come under the magnifying glass for the greatest of government-led funding.
In the 2013 national budget, Mindanao will be receiving the lion’s share – 40% – of the government agriculture budget.
This will be invested in the construction of the halal abattoir, livestock breeding centers and diary production.
Yet despite the supportive push in funding, halal industry leaders still lament the absence of a segregated budget to help sharpen their competitiveness.
“No specific budget [has been] allocated for halal production except the stimulus fund for halal goat[s] in ARMM,” said DA-ARMM’s chief of Livestock Division Dr Norudin Kuit.
“Our objective’s now is to convince the higher up echelon of the [Department of Agriculture] to refocus our approach on production” on key halal agri-commodities, he concluded.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2013/07/14/halal-mindanao-to-the-fore-2/#sthash.Z0dOulx8.dpuf

MINDANAO: With the construction of a halal slaughterhouse in Mindanao underway, the Philippines’ halal agri-products are in for a supportive boost, giving added credibility for the country to participate in the global US$2.3 trillion (RM7 trillion) industry.
Although under reported by media on the archipelago, halal agri-commodities in the Philippines contribute substantially to the economy.
The Department of Agriculture said that in 2010 the industry was worth US $150 billion (RM450 billion).
The Philippines’ halal industry, centered in Mindanao, has already drawn international attention, with the UAE eying investment in halal poultry, the fastest growing halal agri-product in the country.
However, the deal has yet to solidify itself in any concrete manner, an opportunity for the US$1 million abattoir to turn the tables.
The 3.7 hectare halal abattoir is located in Cotabato City, which is part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Mindanao is home to 2.2 million of the country’s Muslims and has come under the magnifying glass for the greatest of government-led funding.
In the 2013 national budget, Mindanao will be receiving the lion’s share – 40% – of the government agriculture budget.
This will be invested in the construction of the halal abattoir, livestock breeding centers and diary production.
Yet despite the supportive push in funding, halal industry leaders still lament the absence of a segregated budget to help sharpen their competitiveness.
“No specific budget [has been] allocated for halal production except the stimulus fund for halal goat[s] in ARMM,” said DA-ARMM’s chief of Livestock Division Dr Norudin Kuit.
“Our objective’s now is to convince the higher up echelon of the [Department of Agriculture] to refocus our approach on production” on key halal agri-commodities, he concluded.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2013/07/14/halal-mindanao-to-the-fore-2/#sthash.Z0dOulx8.dpufvvvv

MINDANAO: With the construction of a halal slaughterhouse in Mindanao underway, the Philippines’ halal agri-products are in for a supportive boost, giving added credibility for the country to participate in the global US$2.3 trillion (RM7 trillion) industry.
Although under reported by media on the archipelago, halal agri-commodities in the Philippines contribute substantially to the economy.
The Department of Agriculture said that in 2010 the industry was worth US $150 billion (RM450 billion).
The Philippines’ halal industry, centered in Mindanao, has already drawn international attention, with the UAE eying investment in halal poultry, the fastest growing halal agri-product in the country.
However, the deal has yet to solidify itself in any concrete manner, an opportunity for the US$1 million abattoir to turn the tables.
The 3.7 hectare halal abattoir is located in Cotabato City, which is part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Mindanao is home to 2.2 million of the country’s Muslims and has come under the magnifying glass for the greatest of government-led funding.
In the 2013 national budget, Mindanao will be receiving the lion’s share – 40% – of the government agriculture budget.
This will be invested in the construction of the halal abattoir, livestock breeding centers and diary production.
Yet despite the supportive push in funding, halal industry leaders still lament the absence of a segregated budget to help sharpen their competitiveness.
“No specific budget [has been] allocated for halal production except the stimulus fund for halal goat[s] in ARMM,” said DA-ARMM’s chief of Livestock Division Dr Norudin Kuit.
“Our objective’s now is to convince the higher up echelon of the [Department of Agriculture] to refocus our approach on production” on key halal agri-commodities, he concluded.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2013/07/14/halal-mindanao-to-the-fore-2/#sthash.Z0dOulx8.dpuf

MINDANAO: With the construction of a halal slaughterhouse in Mindanao underway, the Philippines’ halal agri-products are in for a supportive boost, giving added credibility for the country to participate in the global US$2.3 trillion (RM7 trillion) industry.
Although under reported by media on the archipelago, halal agri-commodities in the Philippines contribute substantially to the economy.
The Department of Agriculture said that in 2010 the industry was worth US $150 billion (RM450 billion).
The Philippines’ halal industry, centered in Mindanao, has already drawn international attention, with the UAE eying investment in halal poultry, the fastest growing halal agri-product in the country.
However, the deal has yet to solidify itself in any concrete manner, an opportunity for the US$1 million abattoir to turn the tables.
The 3.7 hectare halal abattoir is located in Cotabato City, which is part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Mindanao is home to 2.2 million of the country’s Muslims and has come under the magnifying glass for the greatest of government-led funding.
In the 2013 national budget, Mindanao will be receiving the lion’s share – 40% – of the government agriculture budget.
This will be invested in the construction of the halal abattoir, livestock breeding centers and diary production.
Yet despite the supportive push in funding, halal industry leaders still lament the absence of a segregated budget to help sharpen their competitiveness.
“No specific budget [has been] allocated for halal production except the stimulus fund for halal goat[s] in ARMM,” said DA-ARMM’s chief of Livestock Division Dr Norudin Kuit.
“Our objective’s now is to convince the higher up echelon of the [Department of Agriculture] to refocus our approach on production” on key halal agri-commodities, he concluded.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2013/07/14/halal-mindanao-to-the-fore-2/#sthash.Z0dOulx8.dpuf

MINDANAO: With the construction of a halal slaughterhouse in Mindanao underway, the Philippines’ halal agri-products are in for a supportive boost, giving added credibility for the country to participate in the global US$2.3 trillion (RM7 trillion) industry.
Although under reported by media on the archipelago, halal agri-commodities in the Philippines contribute substantially to the economy.
The Department of Agriculture said that in 2010 the industry was worth US $150 billion (RM450 billion).
The Philippines’ halal industry, centered in Mindanao, has already drawn international attention, with the UAE eying investment in halal poultry, the fastest growing halal agri-product in the country.
However, the deal has yet to solidify itself in any concrete manner, an opportunity for the US$1 million abattoir to turn the tables.
The 3.7 hectare halal abattoir is located in Cotabato City, which is part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Mindanao is home to 2.2 million of the country’s Muslims and has come under the magnifying glass for the greatest of government-led funding.
In the 2013 national budget, Mindanao will be receiving the lion’s share – 40% – of the government agriculture budget.
This will be invested in the construction of the halal abattoir, livestock breeding centers and diary production.
Yet despite the supportive push in funding, halal industry leaders still lament the absence of a segregated budget to help sharpen their competitiveness.
“No specific budget [has been] allocated for halal production except the stimulus fund for halal goat[s] in ARMM,” said DA-ARMM’s chief of Livestock Division Dr Norudin Kuit.
“Our objective’s now is to convince the higher up echelon of the [Department of Agriculture] to refocus our approach on production” on key halal agri-commodities, he concluded.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2013/07/14/halal-mindanao-to-the-fore-2/#sthash.Z0dOulx8.dpuf

MINDANAO: With the construction of a halal slaughterhouse in Mindanao underway, the Philippines’ halal agri-products are in for a supportive boost, giving added credibility for the country to participate in the global US$2.3 trillion (RM7 trillion) industry.
Although under reported by media on the archipelago, halal agri-commodities in the Philippines contribute substantially to the economy.
The Department of Agriculture said that in 2010 the industry was worth US $150 billion (RM450 billion).
The Philippines’ halal industry, centered in Mindanao, has already drawn international attention, with the UAE eying investment in halal poultry, the fastest growing halal agri-product in the country.
However, the deal has yet to solidify itself in any concrete manner, an opportunity for the US$1 million abattoir to turn the tables.
The 3.7 hectare halal abattoir is located in Cotabato City, which is part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Mindanao is home to 2.2 million of the country’s Muslims and has come under the magnifying glass for the greatest of government-led funding.
In the 2013 national budget, Mindanao will be receiving the lion’s share – 40% – of the government agriculture budget.
This will be invested in the construction of the halal abattoir, livestock breeding centers and diary production.
Yet despite the supportive push in funding, halal industry leaders still lament the absence of a segregated budget to help sharpen their competitiveness.
“No specific budget [has been] allocated for halal production except the stimulus fund for halal goat[s] in ARMM,” said DA-ARMM’s chief of Livestock Division Dr Norudin Kuit.
“Our objective’s now is to convince the higher up echelon of the [Department of Agriculture] to refocus our approach on production” on key halal agri-commodities, he concluded.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2013/07/14/halal-mindanao-to-the-fore-2/#sthash.Z0dOulx8.dpuf

MINDANAO: With the construction of a halal slaughterhouse in Mindanao underway, the Philippines’ halal agri-products are in for a supportive boost, giving added credibility for the country to participate in the global US$2.3 trillion (RM7 trillion) industry.
Although under reported by media on the archipelago, halal agri-commodities in the Philippines contribute substantially to the economy.
The Department of Agriculture said that in 2010 the industry was worth US $150 billion (RM450 billion).
The Philippines’ halal industry, centered in Mindanao, has already drawn international attention, with the UAE eying investment in halal poultry, the fastest growing halal agri-product in the country.
However, the deal has yet to solidify itself in any concrete manner, an opportunity for the US$1 million abattoir to turn the tables.
The 3.7 hectare halal abattoir is located in Cotabato City, which is part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Mindanao is home to 2.2 million of the country’s Muslims and has come under the magnifying glass for the greatest of government-led funding.
In the 2013 national budget, Mindanao will be receiving the lion’s share – 40% – of the government agriculture budget.
This will be invested in the construction of the halal abattoir, livestock breeding centers and diary production.
Yet despite the supportive push in funding, halal industry leaders still lament the absence of a segregated budget to help sharpen their competitiveness.
“No specific budget [has been] allocated for halal production except the stimulus fund for halal goat[s] in ARMM,” said DA-ARMM’s chief of Livestock Division Dr Norudin Kuit.
“Our objective’s now is to convince the higher up echelon of the [Department of Agriculture] to refocus our approach on production” on key halal agri-commodities, he concluded.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2013/07/14/halal-mindanao-to-the-fore-2/#sthash.Z0dOulx8.dpuf

EURO-ASIA EXPO - expanding international market via Malaysia

In a few months EURO-ASIA EXPO 2013 will be opened and the number of foreign and Russian companies, organizations and private entrepreneurs registered as exhibitors to trade-fair increases each day.

Due to strong partnership between the Organizing committee of EURO-ASIA EXPO and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) twenty one Malaysian companies have already decided to present their products and services at the event. Among them there are companies specializing in consulting, logistics, additional education, production of foods, seasonings, flavors, personal hygiene means, household chemicals, electronics, etc.

EURO-ASIA EXPO gives Russian and Tatarstan businessmen an opportunity to find business-partners from Malaysia and enter the international market.

The complete list of companies and their profiles is presented below:

1. Quantum Atlas is focused on professional exhibition and advertising services, as well as seminars and conferences organization.

2. Abdul Rahman & Partners is a commercial law firm, a leader in banking and finance, especially Islamic banking and finance, corporate banking practice, capital market and credit financing.

3. AJM Planning & Urban Design Group sdn bhd is a world`s leader in urbanistics and planning. The Company possesses an extensive experience in complex regional development, which meets all ecological requirements and provides a high standard of living.

4. Arori (M) sdn bhd provides TV-solutions and digital broadcasting to hotels.

5. The Centre of Executive Education of Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (UNIRAZAK) provides necessary knowledge and skills for the emerging entrepreneurs as well as improves the quality of management by focusing on three main areas: innovation, leadership and entrepreneurship.

6. Coffee Scene Sdn Bhd is a chain of café of traditional Malaysian meals.

7. Dolphin Healthcare sdn bhd specializes in the research and development, manufacture and marketing of personal care products and household chemicals, provides medical services.

8. Eco Gaia Sdn Bhd produces biodegradable plastics and polymers.

9. Freight Transport Network Sdn Bhd provides the highest lever services in the fields of custom brokerage and air/sea freight forwarding, towing and storage.

10. KSK Globalink Manufacturing Sdn Bhd produces wide range of rubber materials and related rubber products.

11. Memory Mark is a food sale company.

12. Q Flavors is a company produces seasonings.

13. Reka Nutrition is a leading distributor of food flavors, fragrances, basic aroma chemicals and natural essential oils.

14. Renowned Property specializes on decorative illumination of hotels, halls, palaces and household. The company provides different services such as project research, design, assembly, manufacture, installation, operation and remanufacturing of the projects.

15. Sorient is a photo school.

16. Straits Consulting Engineers provides consulting services.

17. Synergy Worldwide Forwarding provides logistics services, freight forwarding and custom clearing.

18. Synergy Worldwide (M) provides freight door-to-door delivery services.

19. Titan Ledway is an electronics and home appliances company.

20. Tuck Sun & Co provides full-service logistics.

21. Sovereign Maritime Services (M) provides risk management in petroleum industry.