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Friday, April 28, 2006
Autonomous region halal industry gets Malaysian support
THE Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) recently got a shot in the arm with Malaysia pledging to develop the local halal industry to increase the region's chances of penetrating the food market of Islamic countries.
Armm Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, who made a recent visit to the State of Malacca, revealed this development last week.
"The region will be receiving technical assistance in coming up with a halal certifying scheme from Jakim, Malaysia's halal certification body," he said.
Ampatuan added that the Malaysian certification body is recognized among Muslim countries.
Early this week, Armm officials conducted an inter-agency halal industry development conference in Cotabato City to evaluate production aspect that need to be addressed in order to establish a viable halal industry in the region.
Ampatuan said the international and domestic halal markets remain attractive and potential sources of huge revenue for those engaged in the agriculture sector.
Jamil Hamsa Olermo, member and former chairman of the Muslim Business Forum, stressed that there are at least 1.48 billion Muslim consumers around the world they could bank on.
Halal is considered a quality control system by itself that puts emphasis on critical control points involving hygienic and disease-free preparation of foods.
Halal seal marked on labels of food and non-food products will inform Muslim consumers that the product is free from any Haram or pork, lard from swine and alcohol.
The Center for American Muslim Research and Information estimates the international halal food trade is worth US$150 billion a year, with the buying power of Muslims in the US alone pegged at US$12 billion.
Other markets with high purchasing power for Halal-certified foods include the Middle East, Asia such as Singapore and Hong Kong, and East Association of Southeast Asian Nations Growth Area, particularly Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, of which Mindanao is a part of.
Armm, which is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-tawi and the Islamic City of Marawi, is among the poorest regions in the country. (RBS)
For Bisaya stories from General Santos.Click here. (This section is updated every Monday)
(April 24, 2006 issue)
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