Pakistan Halal Authority (PHA) and Islamabad Chambers of Commerce & Industries (ICCI) collaborated to host a seminar on “Establishing a Gateway to Halal Assurance” on 22nd May, 2024 at ICCI Islamabad under the chairmanship of Mr. Akhtar A. Bughio.
The purpose of the seminar was to raise awareness about the need of facilitating interprovincial and international halal trade, to disseminate information about PHA’s rules and regulations, and to encourage stakeholders from Pakistan’s various economic sectors to engage in halal business activities to enhance exports.
Engineer Azhar-ul-Islam, Vice-President ICCI, during his welcome address applauded PHA’s efforts to support the Halal industry and its contribution to the expansion of Pakistan’s economy. He went on to explain that Pakistan may have a major share in the global halal trade which vastly falls short of the country’s halal export potential. Halal exports can have a significant positive impact on the country’s trade deficit especially if we are able to tap the halal meat market by considering product diversification, export potential and strategic collaborations.
Mr. Akhtar A. Bughio, Director General PHA gave a thorough presentation on the organization’s aims and objectives, including “Gateway to Halal Assurance.” Additionally, he clarified that nations that were alert enough to identify the advent of this extremely profitable and rapidly expanding worldwide Muslim consumer market will be the one to seize control of the trillion-dollar global halal industry in the near future. The global halal market is not only substantial in terms of the size of its consumer base; it also encompasses a broad array of potential products and services. He also emphasized the urgent need for Pakistan to create centralised halal certification requirements and value chain activities for all industries, given the significant amount of imported goods that are available in our local markets and our local brands targeting the global export market.
During the event, a wide spectrum of business people and stakeholders showed their keen interest by asking several questions. Their quires were addressed by Director General PHA.
The seminar was also attended by Mr. Mohib Zaman, Director Regulations; Mr. Khawar Ilyas, Director Administration; Dr. Ainy Zehra, Director Technical; and other officers of PHA.
All the participants thanked the chair on holding such informative seminar.