Here’s a roundup of key developments across the halal industry ecosystem during the month of July

Editor’s note: The Southeast Asia region has not only been a trendsetter across the Islamic economy space but is also forging key cross-border alliances in a bid to amplify the space beyond. 

Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) has extended an invite to the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle to bolster innovation. Meanwhile, the country’s minister visited Japan to strengthen halal product cooperation, while a South Korean province is keen to strike up a cooperation conversation with the country.

The sentiment is trickling one step down as the private sector too looks to leverage the region’s potential – a South Korean stem cell tech firm has begun exporting its products to Southeast Asia, furthering the presence of halal items in personal care. 

In other parts of the world, Saudi sovereign wealth fund initiated a venture to boost the camel dairy industry, while a new agreement aims to foster halal products in Azerbaijan. 

 

Company News

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Canada

The Halal Guys Vancouver to open later this month

New York’s famed food-cart-turned-fast-food chain, The Halal Guys, known for its American halal food, is set to open its first Vancouver outlet on July 15-16.

To mark the opening, the 570 Robson Street location will offer a range of giveaways. (Daily Hive)

Brazil

Registration open for missions and expos in halal markets

The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) have launched the Halal Brazil project.

Through this initiative, Brazilian food and beverage companies will have the opportunity to participate in trade shows and business missions in countries such as South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Malaysia, and Indonesia. (ANBA)

Saudi Arabia

Saudi’s Tanmiah Food Company amongst leading ESG companies in the kingdom

Saudi-based Tanmiah Food Company has been awarded 2023’s Product of the Year, and has been listed among Forbes’ Top 10 Innovative Companies in Sustainability.

The awards recognise the company’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiatives. (Zawya)

Saudi Arabia

PIF’s Lifera joins hands with Sanofi and Arabio to locally produce vaccines

Saudi biopharmaceutical company Lifera, owned by Public Investment Fund, the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, has partnered with French firm Sanofi and Saudi manufacturer Arabio to boost local vaccine production.

The partners signed a memorandum of understanding, exploring collaborative opportunities in vaccine manufacturing, a step towards advancing Saudi Arabia’s vaccine localization strategy. (Arab News)

Malaysia

South Korea’s SCM Lifescience kicks off anti-hair loss product exports to Southeast Asia

South Korean stem cell technology firm, SCM Lifescience, has begun exporting its hair loss care brand, Iroro, to Southeast Asia, with the first shipment of 60,000 units sent to Malaysian partner Duopharma Consumer Healthcare.

The shipment includes four products, such as shampoos for men and women, containing the patented stem cell protein CXCL1, which has halal certification from the Korea Muslim Federation’s Halal Certification Committee. (KED Global)

Indonesia

Calls for massive socialization on halal certification in Indonesia

The People’s Consultative Assembly Speaker, Bambang Soesatyo, has called on the Indonesian government and the Halal Product Assurance Agency to ramp up efforts to educate businesses about the halal product registration and certification process. The move comes in response to reports of widespread lack of understanding about this process among businesses. (Antara News)

Indonesia

Free halal certification program for micro, small businesses

The Indonesian Ministry of Religion, supervising the Halal Product Guarantee Organizing Agency (BPJPH), has initiated a Free Halal Certification (SEHATI) program for micro and small businesses.

The program provides free services to obtain halal certificates, aiming to benefit all business players in the country. As of July 21, the program has issued 849 halal certificates for small businesses in the Bogor area, as disclosed by the agency. (Detik)

UK

UK’s Davinia Taylor links with Blackburn woman to launch halal range

UK-based entrepreneur, actress and author Davinia Taylor, known for her WillPowders nutritional supplement brand, is set to launch a range of halal collagen products.

Taylor was inspired to introduce the halal line after connecting with Nargis Malik, a veteran in the cryotherapy industry. The new halal collagen, derived from grass-fed cattle and produced in Switzerland, will adhere to the highest certified standards and be packaged in a halal-compliant facility. (Lancashire Telegraph)

 

Trade Developments

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Indonesia

Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency beckons IMT-GT to increase innovation in halal product assurance

Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) has called on the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) forum to bolster innovation and technology transfer for halal product assurance.

The call came during the 17th IMT-GT Working Group on Halal Products and Services (WGHAPAS) meeting and the 3rd Strategic Halal Industry Collaboration Task Force (SHICTF). (Antara News)

Malaysia

Malaysia’s government agency hails contribution towards halal markets

The Halal Development Corporation (HDC), a Malaysian federal government agency that spearheads the development of the country’s halal ecosystem, has awarded 20 organisations and an individual for their significant contributions to the halal industry at the World Halal Excellence Awards 2022.

The awards, part of HDC’s World Halal Business Conference, aim to honour the achievements of industry players in making Malaysia a leader in the $3 trillion halal market. (Halal Focus)

Indonesia / South Korea

South Korean province seeks halal cooperation with Indonesia

South Korea’s Chungcheongbuk-do Province is looking to explore cooperation opportunities with Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH), with a focus on marketing its halal-certified cosmetic products.

The province’s governor, Kim Young Hwan, highlighted Indonesia’s potential due to its large Muslim population and long-standing friendship with South Korea. 

Starting next year, all products, including imported ones, circulating in Indonesia must be halal-certified. (Antara News)

Indonesia / Japan

Indonesian minister Qoumas visits Japan to strengthen halal product cooperation

Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, will review the certification processes of Japan Islamic Trust (JIT) and Japan Muslim Association (JMA), to ensure their compliance with Indonesian regulations for imported halal products.

This follows a recent meeting with South Korean officials from Chungcheongbuk-do province, where the need for governmental cooperation for recognition of halal certifications was emphasized. (Antara News)

Azerbaijan

New agreement aimed to foster halal products in Azerbaijan

A memorandum has been signed to develop Azerbaijan’s halal market. 

The agreement – between the Halal Service of the Islamic Chamber (ICHS) and the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ASK). ICHS, the executive arm of the Islamic Chamber for Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, aims to develop the global halal market covering businesses, governments, and consumers. 

The initiative focuses on expanding halal products for domestic use and export, creating jobs, and bolstering GDP. (Trend News Agency)

Philippines / Malaysia

Philippines premier heads to Malaysia to tap into halal industry potential

Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. embarked on a three-day state visit to Malaysia, intending to identify new cooperative ventures, notably in the halal industry, and refresh partnerships in agriculture and the digital economy.

This visit, marking Marcos’ 14th overseas trip since taking office, is intended to reinvigorate ties between the two countries. The leaders pledged to enhance bilateral relations, including capacity-building in Islamic banking, food security, and the halal industry. 

Both countries have also agreed to cooperate on the development of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the halal sector.

Malaysian expertise will be leveraged to train Philippine personnel to strengthen capabilities in these sectors. (ABS CBN)

Egypt

Egyptian food industries focus on halal exports

Egypt’s Food Export Council (FEC) and the Egypt Trade Reform and Development Project (TRADE), supported by USAID, held a seminar on the potential benefits of halal certification for Egyptian exporters.

The seminar addressed the importance and requirements of obtaining halal certification for both import and export markets.

Mahmoud Emara, a senior food safety consultant, stressed that complying with halal certification standards is essential for all exporters, irrespective of their target market. (ANBA)

 

Investments

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Saudi Arabia

Saudi wealth fund sets up venture to boost camel dairy industry

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has initiated a new venture, Sawani Company, aimed at enhancing the nation’s camel farming industry.

The company intends to be the biggest producer of camel dairy products, with plans to eventually export to regional and global markets. Sawani will collaborate with private sector entities to boost production and modernize operations, supporting Saudi Arabia’s wider food and agriculture sector and contributing to the nation’s economic diversification under Vision 2030. (Gulf Business)

 

Regulatory

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Australia

Indonesia assesses eight Australian halal institutions

The Indonesian Religious Affairs Ministry’s Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) has initiated assessments of eight Australian halal institutions.

Led by the agency’s head, Muhammad Aqil Irham, the assessments were based on accreditation submissions and mutual acceptance of the institutions.

Irham stated that the process was crucial for future cooperation between the two countries in industrial development and trade of halal products. (Halal Focus)

 

Read more: Islamic Finance: Fortnightly news wrap – July 15

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Food Manufactuing Indonesia (Indonesia) – Aug 23-25, 2023
• Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2023 (Malaysia) – Sep 12-15, 2023
• Bahrain Halal Expo 2023 (Bahrain) – Oct 5-7, 2023
• Saudi International Halal Expo & Summit 2023 (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) – Nov 19-21, 2023
• World Halal Summit 2023 (Istanbul, Turkiye) – Nov 23-25, 2023
• Halal Expo London 2023 (London, UK) – Dec 1-2, 2023
• Halal Indonesia Expo 2023 (Indonesia) – Dec 8-10, 2023