They also urged the stakeholders to come forward along with the government to meet the growing demand of halal food across the world.
Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) organised the seminar on “ensuring safe and halal food: Present context and necessary measures”.
Prof Dr AK Obidul Huq, chairman of Food Technology and Nutritional Science of Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, and Dr Samia Abdellatif, conformity director of RACS of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), presented papers at the event.
DCCI President Osama Taseer in his welcome address said agriculture and food product was Bangladesh’s 2nd largest export sector after the RMG bagging US$1.4 billion in 2018-19 fiscal year. “To expand the export volume and export basket of Bangladesh, we need to ensure quality and standard of our food products.”
He, however, lamented that because of weak infrastructure, inadequate eco-system, weak standard quality certification and low value addition, they are falling behind in conformity assessment and losing competitiveness in international market.
The DCCI chief said the Muslim population will increase by 35 percent in the next 20 years across the world. “The global Islamic market is around US$2.1 trillion which contributes 11.9 percent to the world expenditure.”
Globally, Muslim nations spent US$1.3 trillion in 2017 for food and beverages, he said, adding that Brazil, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand are leading the Halal market suppliers in recent times.
Taseer recommended supporting the private sector in research and capacity building, devising proper policy, building international certification process, economic zones dedicated for Halal products and new policy support incorporating scopes and guidelines of Halal business.
UAE Ambassador to Bangladesh Saed Mohammed Al-Muhairi who spoke at the event as the guest of honour said the popularity of Halal foods and other consumer items have been on the rise even among the non-Muslim populations around the world as Halal foods are hygienic and healthy. “The global consumption value of Halal food increases with 8.14 percent average growth rate and over the next five years. The Halal food market will register a 6.1 percent compound annual growth rate in terms of revenue,” he said, hoping that Bangladesh will soon enter not only the UAE market but also the global market of Halal products.
Director General of Islamic Foundation Shamim Mohammad Afjal called for establishing a one-stop service point under the BSTI for Halal certification and testing.
He also emphasised on adopting science and technology for the development of Halal certification process.
Chairman of Bangladesh Food Safety Authority Syeda Sarwar Jahan said Bangladesh is the 5th largest country in the global Muslim food and beverage consumption market.
She said demands of safe and Halal food are increasing day by day. Food safety has been neglected in developing countries, including Bangladesh, Sarwar Jahan said, adding that but the Food Safety Act 2013 has been enacted and subsequently Bangladesh Food Safety Authority has been established. “If we can ensure safe and Halal production of meat, we’ll have the opportunity to explore new window of international market in Muslim countries. So it’s high time for us to work together for ensuring safe and Halal food for our life and health as well as for sustainable development.”
In his keynote paper, Dr Obidul Huq said non-Halal food is a threat and risk to the Muslims and harming national economy, trade and tourism.
He recommended establishing a Halal accreditation body, testing laboratories and Halal Processing Zones in Bangladesh.
Dr Samia Abdellatif said for Halal certification, adequate infrastructure and enforcement are needed. Bangladesh has potential to have testing laboratories and Halal accreditation body.
She invited Bangladesh to be an active member of International Halal Association Forum (IHAF).