'UAE allows Pakistan to transport goods by sea'

Cost of transit now down by one-third, export opportunities increase

LAHORE: Punjab Halal Development Agency (PHDA) Chairman Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Khan has said that the UAE authority has allowed transportation of Halal products through sea that would bring down the cost of freight by one third.



He was addressing foreign delegates participating in the 6th International Halal Conference here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) along with LCCI President Abdul Basit, Senior Vice President Amjad Ali Jawa and Executive Committee members.

Participants of the International Halal Conference from Russia, Tartaristan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the UK and UAE also spoke on the occasion.

The chairman said that the PHDA is signing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with various countries and authorities to make its certification acceptable to them. Khan said that the Pakistan Halal authority has also been operational and the first meeting of its Board of Directors is being held on April 13, 2017.

According to Khan, the PHDA is also organising training programmes for butchers to spread awareness regarding Shariah requirements.

"It is time to boost Pakistan's economy while exporting surplus Halal products available in Pakistan." Khan urged the LCCI to appoint a focal person for close liaison between PHDA and the LCCI.

The PHDA chairman said that 6th International Halal Conference will augment Halal business of the country. He further said that the Punjab government is striving to boost the Halal industry of the country and this event aims to increase the potential of Halal trade in the province.

LCCI President Abdul Basit said that Halal food has become a billion-dollar global economy, wherein Pakistan's share is still insignificant.

It is high time for Pakistan's economy to get a boost not by getting aid from foreign countries but by exploiting the untapped potential of Halal foods that has created a brand new global Halal economy in the world, said Basit.



LCCI President said the despite being the natural base for Halal products, Pakistan's share in the global Halal market is negligible.

"Today, a much bigger share of Halal business is in the hands of non-Muslim countries and they are utilising the Halal brand to benefit their economy.

"The total worth of global Halal trade is well over $300 billion. If Pakistan is able to attain only 10% share of this trade then we can expand our exports easily. It is high time that all the public and private sectors organisations should work hand-in-hand to materialise this objective."

Published in The Express Tribune, April 12^th, 2017.

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