A two-day seminar by the second World Halal Forum in Kuala Lumpur has come up with a prospective plan to set a single standard for halal foods and a logo. About 900 participants from 38 countries agreed that a single halal standard was necessary for halal businesses, because different logos and standards have confused consumers for too long.

Participants said a single standard was needed to benefit consumers worldwide, including non-Muslims.

Othman Yusoff, chairman of the Halal Committee at Nestle Malaysia, said all halal producer countries should join together to promote a single logo, so as to increase acceptance among international consumers.

"Having many halal logos has confused consumers about the standard of the products. A single integrated logo will build halal as a world premium brand," he said.

Initially, the Malaysian government last year set up the International Halal Integrity Alliance, a non-governmental and non-national organisation, to increase collaboration among other key halal producer countries and support a single system.

Malaysia's government will invite halal food suppliers worldwide to help develop the halal system. Target countries include Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Singapore, Pakistan, Brunei, Turkey and Thailand.

Halal Industry Development (HDC) managing director Jamil Bidin said the plan to promote a single halal system through collaboration between many countries will soon start to improve the industry's growth. Not only could each country become a hub of halal products and service in different areas, but also a single halal standard would add more value to the industry and benefit both consumers and suppliers, he said.

The halal food industry has grown gradually each year.

Consumers from Muslim and non-Muslim markets are increasingly demanding halal for its high quality

and safety standards. "One single halal system should be successful in generating more income for the halal industry," said Jamil.

Besides electronics, automobiles and textiles and garments, the halal industry is one of the world's biggest industries, because more than 60 per cent of people around the globe consume halal food.

HDC, which is responsible for the development of the Malaysia's halal industry, said the industry was worth a total of US$570 billion (Bt19.77 trillion) worldwide. Halal is an expanding market, with average annual growth of about 50 per cent. People in 186 nations regularly consume halal food and services.

Jamil said cooperation in establishing a single standard could be successful in a few years. For instance, Malaysia could contribute expertise and knowledge, while Thailand could provide scientific knowledge and research and development.

In addition, the Thai and Malaysian governments on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop the halal industry using a global standard and expand the market to both Muslim and non-Muslim countries.

The agreement was made in cooperation between Chulalongkorn Univer-sity's Halal Science Centre and HDC. Malaysia foresees the potential of the Thai institute jointly to develop the quality of halal products and safety standards.

Centre director Winai Dahran said it would be a great arrangement, because Thailand had expertise in food-science development, while Malaysia's reputation for government-supported halal standards would increase the chances for success of a single global standard.

HDC also signed three MoUs with Microsoft Malaysia and CIMB Islamic Bank to develop production and marketing standards for the halal industry.

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation

Kuala Lumpur