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Pakistan can be leader in global Halal food market
Pakistan, being a Muslim and an agriculture country has the potential to assume leadership role in global halal food market by following proper strategies, policies and practices.
Talking to Business Recorder here on Sunday Chief Executive M/s Anis Associates (Pvt) Limited and a major exporter of Halal food products Nasib Ahmad Saifi said that the Halal products were moving into mainstream business and their demand was steadily increasing.
"Halal products are now seen as a potential engine of economic growth with an annual turn over of hundreds of billions of dollars globally," he added.
Saifi said that Pakistan was blessed with all seasons, fertile land and 48 percent dedicated agricultural work force.
"Agriculture sector contributes 24 percent to GDP.
About 60 percent of population is associated with production, processing and distribution of food.
Agriculture & animal husbandry sectors produce basic food items and unprocessed materials for various finished goods.
The surplus cereals, fruits, vegetables, milk, fish meat and poultry can be processed, as a value-added products, for marketing locally and abroad," he added.
Saifi, who is also Chairman LCCI's Standing Committee on Halal Meat, further said the Halal food industry is quite unique in the sense that it is the largest industry where religious values are upheld during the production and distribution.
Being a Muslim and agrarian economy, he said Pakistan is in the advantageous position to secure a significant share in the Halal market if steps are taken in the right direction.
But incidentally it has little presence, so far in the Halal economy, which essentially caters to the faith - related needs of Muslim consumers world-wide, he added.
At present, there are 22 Halal meat processing plants in the country out of which 16 are operating in Punjab, he added.
According to him, demand for Halal' foods is increasing, not only in the US, Europe and Canada, but also in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, North Africa and Australia.
Saifi said Pakistan could easily increase Halal meat products' exports up to $5 billion.
"One of the major problems faced by Halal meat processors and exporters is gas and electricity load shedding.
If gas and electricity are provided to them without any hindrance they can bring much more precious foreign exchange for the country," he added.
However, experts say that the local food manufacturers lack awareness about the magnitude of global Halal market.
They think Halal in terms of chicken and meat only and not beyond.
They need to catch up with missed opportunities inherent in growing global Halal market of $3,000 billion.
Convenor poultry products exports committee of Pakistan Poultry Association Abdul Basit said that by virtue of its agriculture and manpower resources Pakistan has the potential to get 10 percent share o f $3 trillion global Halal food market which amounts to $300 billion dollars per annum.
By a little bit of efforts and guidance, and support by the government Pakistani Halal Food exporters can easily fetch foreign exchange of 30 billion dollars in a year.
Pakistan can be leader in global Halal food market | Business Recorder
Pakistan, being a Muslim and an agriculture country has the potential to assume leadership role in global halal food market by following proper strategies, policies and practices.
Talking to Business Recorder here on Sunday Chief Executive M/s Anis Associates (Pvt) Limited and a major exporter of Halal food products Nasib Ahmad Saifi said that the Halal products were moving into mainstream business and their demand was steadily increasing.
"Halal products are now seen as a potential engine of economic growth with an annual turn over of hundreds of billions of dollars globally," he added.
Saifi said that Pakistan was blessed with all seasons, fertile land and 48 percent dedicated agricultural work force.
"Agriculture sector contributes 24 percent to GDP.
About 60 percent of population is associated with production, processing and distribution of food.
Agriculture & animal husbandry sectors produce basic food items and unprocessed materials for various finished goods.
The surplus cereals, fruits, vegetables, milk, fish meat and poultry can be processed, as a value-added products, for marketing locally and abroad," he added.
Saifi, who is also Chairman LCCI's Standing Committee on Halal Meat, further said the Halal food industry is quite unique in the sense that it is the largest industry where religious values are upheld during the production and distribution.
Being a Muslim and agrarian economy, he said Pakistan is in the advantageous position to secure a significant share in the Halal market if steps are taken in the right direction.
But incidentally it has little presence, so far in the Halal economy, which essentially caters to the faith - related needs of Muslim consumers world-wide, he added.
At present, there are 22 Halal meat processing plants in the country out of which 16 are operating in Punjab, he added.
According to him, demand for Halal' foods is increasing, not only in the US, Europe and Canada, but also in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, North Africa and Australia.
Saifi said Pakistan could easily increase Halal meat products' exports up to $5 billion.
"One of the major problems faced by Halal meat processors and exporters is gas and electricity load shedding.
If gas and electricity are provided to them without any hindrance they can bring much more precious foreign exchange for the country," he added.
However, experts say that the local food manufacturers lack awareness about the magnitude of global Halal market.
They think Halal in terms of chicken and meat only and not beyond.
They need to catch up with missed opportunities inherent in growing global Halal market of $3,000 billion.
Convenor poultry products exports committee of Pakistan Poultry Association Abdul Basit said that by virtue of its agriculture and manpower resources Pakistan has the potential to get 10 percent share o f $3 trillion global Halal food market which amounts to $300 billion dollars per annum.
By a little bit of efforts and guidance, and support by the government Pakistani Halal Food exporters can easily fetch foreign exchange of 30 billion dollars in a year.
Pakistan can be leader in global Halal food market | Business Recorder