‘Halal Expo 2008’ Opens Today

Middle East Events: ‘Halal Expo 2008’, the definitive event for the ‘Halal’ industry in the region, commenced its three-day run today (November 24, 2008) at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dubai. The exhibition was opened by Raees Ahmed, Director, Orange Fairs & Events in the presence of dignitaries and officials from the various country delegations present at the event. The event will run until November 26, 2008 and will provide a suitable platform to discuss new business opportunities for Halal products and services within the catering, hospitality, food and beverage, health and pharmaceuticals industries.

‘Halal Expo 2008’ seeks to leverage the enormous potential of Halal products and services with latest reports showing an estimated 1.8 billion Halal consumers from different areas around the world, generating as much as USD 2.1 trillion annually for the Halal industry. More than 55 global companies and international exhibitors from 17 countries are participating at ‘Halal Expo 2008’, in addition to delegations from Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Egypt, France, Phillipines, Lebanon, South Africa, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Turkey, Malaysia, Singapore, U.K, U.S.A, and the UAE. Moreover, the event is also hosting representatives from government bodies such as the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources of Brunei Darussalam, several regional and international Halal certification authorities, Chambers of Commerce, and international Halal associations.

Speaking at the opening, Raees Ahmed said: "‘Halal Expo 2008’ provides a unique platform for the regional and international Halal industry players to exhibit their world-class products and services. I am pleased to see that the event has expanded in terms of exhibitors and has evolved to address the emerging needs of the growing Middle East Halal market. There is great potential for the Halal market and I believe that the ‘Halal Expo 2008’ will play a crucial role in harnessing the enormous business opportunities."

The exhibition features various Shari'ah-compliant lifestyle products and services, including food and beverages, hospitality management, cosmetics and health and pharmaceuticals industries. In addition, the Expo is hosting the Malaysian Pavilion wherein more than 20 companies from Malaysia are showcasing various Halal products, including sauces, health food supplements, vegetable oil, snacks, dairy products, chocolates, coffee and tea, ready-to-eat frozen foods, cocoa, confectionery items, biscuits, health food and fruit juices.

The Expo will also have a dedicated segment for ‘Halal Tourism’, which offers tailored Halal products and services for the increasing number of tourists in the GCC. Jawhara Hospitality Group (JHG), part of S.S Lootah Group, is showcasing three of its properties namely Al Jawhara Gardens Hotel, Al Jawhara Hotel Apartments and Al Jawhara Metro Hotel, which offer ‘Pure Rooms’, the Middle East's first-of-its-kind ‘Halal Tourism’ facilities that strictly adhere to Islamic hospitality.

"’Halal Expo 2008’ is a response to the emerging requirements of the growing Middle East Halal market and we are pleased that our efforts have been greatly appreciated as shown by the unprecedented support and participation we have gathered from both international and local exhibitors. We welcome the large number of visitors who have come on the opening day, underscoring the strong public awareness the event has generated. ‘Halal Expo 2008’ focuses on providing a broad, diverse range of Halal products and services for business professionals and consumers," concluded Ahmed.

‘Halal Expo 2008’ will host on its second day, the ‘Halal Forum’, a round-table dialogue bringing together experts from a broad spectrum of industries to address key issues and provide specific practical solutions for sustainable growth and development across various segments of the industry. In addition, the Expo will also feature interactive seminars designed to attract buyers and representatives from the food service, hospitality, retail, logistics, import/export and packaging industries.

Moreover, the event also seeks to highlight the growing role of Dubai in promoting the Halal industry, particularly in terms of providing a suitable platform for networking among key industry players, and addressing the growing need for credible and professional Halal certification as well as the establishment of Halal certification bodies that comply with global industry standards.