File:1- DSC0447 (16153103853).jpg

USAID and PHDA Host 4th International Halal Conference and Exhibition 2015 in Lahore

Lahore, March 10, 2015: Representatives from the international and local halal food or meat industry, academia, public and private sector stakeholders participated in the 4th International Halal Conference and exhibition today to discuss the international trade and investment potential of Pakistan’s Halal industry. The Punjab Halal Development Agency (PHDA) and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Punjab Enabling Environment Project (PEEP) collaborated in hosting the conference. A memorandum of understanding between PEEP and PHDA was also signed on the occasion.

“The Memorandum of Understanding signed today between our Punjab Enabling Environment Project and PHDA will help promote new investments in the halal meat industry and open doors for new business opportunities leading to broad-based economic growth,” stated USAID Director for Punjab Dr. Miles Toder while addressing the conference participants. “Today’s conference and exhibition provide a platform to develop business linkages, and will give participants an opportunity to talk about the international trade and investment potential of Pakistan’s Halal industry,” he added

The global halal food industry has an estimated value of $3 trillion; it is growing and expanding rapidly along with Halal financing of trade in, food items (beef, mutton, and beverages), oil seeds, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, etc. Pakistan’s halal meat industry, estimated at $115 million, has great potential for growth. With growth in population and opening markets, the global demand for halal products and services continues to increase.

“The PHDA is striving to enhance the Halal industry of the country and this event is a commitment of the same. Our joint efforts to showcase the halal trade potential of meat and allied food industry will help promote investments in international halal trade and boost the overall promotion of Pakistan as Halal hub,” stated Chairman Punjab Halal Development Agency Justice (Retired) Khalil-ur-Rehman Khan. “Exhibitors from the livestock, meat, poultry, dairy, edible oil, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, beverages, Islamic financing and other related areas are showcasing their products at the exhibition, which is a unique forum for networking and developing business linkages,” he added.

Speakers at the seminar also included Chief of Party of the USAID Punjab Enabling Environment Project (PEEP) Muhammad Junaid, Dr. Russly from Malysia, Mr. Alberto Brugnoni from Italy, Mr. Mohammad Lawal Shuaibu from Nigeria, Mr. Yasin Zulfikaroglu from Turkey, Ms. Renee Strickland from the U.S., and Mr. Zubair Mughal from Pakistan.

USAID’s Punjab Enabling Environment Project is a five-year, $15 million project, which will improve the business environment by promoting policy and regulatory reforms through private sector-led advocacy. These reforms, if implemented are expected to spur investment in dairy, livestock and horticulture sub sectors, leading to fast-paced employment generation. Through this project, USAID is also helping increase the institutional capacity of public and private sector organizations to support and sustain policy reforms at the provincial and federal levels.

The Punjab Halal Development Agency (PHDA), a Government of Punjab agency, was established to formalize the Halal sector through Halal certification, business projection, capacity-building, and compliance regime of Halal food safety standards together with branding Pakistan as Halal Hub. PHDA is striving to promote investments in the halal industry including livestock and Riba-free (interest-free) halal financing to encourage potential investors. PHDA has organized three international conferences and exhibitions on Halal Trade over the last three years.