SHAFAQNA (Shia News Association) — The global halal market, which is worth US$2.3 trillion annually, offers plenty of opportunities for members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) as they continually seek to enhance economic growth within this region.
Deputy of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, said in the halal food sector alone, the market was estimated at US$693 billion a year.
"There is indeed a need for Asean countries to further explore the vast potential existing in the global halal food industry not only to cater to the Muslims but also the non-Muslims," he said at the 9th Asean Working Group on Halal Food here Thursday.
Mukhriz said Malaysia's export of halal products was expected to register six per cent growth this year.
He said Malaysia's performance in the exports of halal products by halal-certified companies in 2011 recorded an estimated value of US$11.8 billion.— www.shafaqna.com/english/