Incentives urged for halal food sector

LAHORE: Having the potential as well as resources, Pakistan was well-positioned to claim a big share in the international halal food market, but lack of incentives and hand-holding policies were holding this sector back, an industry official said on Tuesday.

This was stated by the LCCI President while talking to a delegation at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry. LCCI Senior Vice President Ali Hussam Asghar and Vice President Mian Zahid Jawaid Ahmad were also present. “The volume of international halal food trade is well over $ 3 trillion but Pakistan has a meager share…,” said Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, president Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) hosting a delegation at the trade body’s office.

Sheikh said some crucial measures by the government could help tap the huge potential in this sector, adding, promotion of halal products should be our national agenda as it could help exports take a quantum leap. “It is a matter of concern that there is no Muslim country in list of top halal food exporters,” the LCCI president said. He said Pakistan had a big potential for exporting halal meat globally and with little efforts it could triple exports of this sector by grabbing the international halal food market. “The global Halal food market is becoming one of the fastest growing markets and despite having best strategic position, a dynamic halal food sector, and a direct gateway to the millions of consumers in Central Asia and Middle East, Pakistan’s share in international Halal food trade is negligible,” said he.

Shaikh said a number of non-Muslim countries like Thailand were leading in this sector, which should be a matter of concern for the Muslim countries. “Demand for halal Products has increased manifold because of growing Muslim population world over therefore the government should encourage the export of these products,” he stressed. The LCCI was doing the needful for the promotion of halal products but the government would have to come up with a package of incentives so that quality halal foods could be exported from Pakistan.