New opportunities with halal

Business Asia, Sept, 2002

In a bid to capitalise on the dietary needs of Muslim populations, the Australian halal food industry has been given a boost via a new project which aims to develop the industry, and double the number of Australian halal exporters by 2006.

The Halal Food Industry Export Development Project will assist manufacturers of food and related products obtain halal certification and identify export opportunities to countries with Muslim populations, as well as into the Australian domestic market.

Developed by Australian Business Limited, the project is supported by the GROW Employment Council, and more than $85,400 worth of funding from the Federal Government Regional Assistance Program (RAP), administered by the Department of Transport and Regional Services.

Senior manager International Trade and Business Solutions, Australian Business Limited, Graham Ferguson, said the export project would allow Australian companies access to a market of more than 600 million Muslims in the Middle East, Australia and Asia.

Participating businesses will undertake a strategic five-stage process that will provide self-assessment skills for operators considering market development either domestically or internationally. Certification is not solely related to the finished product. It includes raw materials, processed ingredients, and the whole supply chain right through to the final product consumed.