Asean experience can help Bangladesh emerge as global halal hub: Commerce Minister
Entering this market requires an integrated production, quality control, and certification system, speakers say at a seminar.
Reducing dependence on traditional export products, Bangladesh can tap the growing global halal economy as a new major area for export diversification, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said today (12 August).
Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar in Dhaka, he called for building a strong and internationally standardised halal ecosystem in Bangladesh, leveraging the experience of the Asean region.
The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised the seminar on the halal ecosystem in the Asean region and Bangladesh's prospects.
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The minister said the halal economy is no longer limited to food and beverages, but now encompasses pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, modest fashion, tourism, logistics, technology, financing, and international certification.
"First, we need to increase our domestic production capacity to boost exports. For this, domestic and foreign investment is necessary, and we must ensure a safe and attractive environment for investors," he said.
He also stressed the need to secure preferential market access through free trade agreements (FTAs), preferential trade agreements (PTAs), and economic partnership agreements (EPAs), particularly after Bangladesh graduates from the least developed country (LDC) category.
The commerce minister also said that Bangladesh needs an independent, reliable and internationally recognised halal certification system to build global confidence in Bangladeshi products and open up new markets.
Speakers at the seminar said Bangladesh's heavy dependence on the readymade garment sector makes export diversification essential. The halal economy could become one of the country's major new areas of opportunity as demand for halal food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fashion, tourism, and lifestyle products continues to grow.
However, entering this market requires an integrated production, quality control, and certification system, they said.
Highlighting Malaysia's halal ecosystem as an important model for Bangladesh, speakers said Malaysia has transformed halal from merely a product category into a complete economic system covering production, research, certification, marketing, and export.
They noted that Bangladesh's large domestic market and existing strengths in agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, leather, and apparel could help the country become an important part of the global halal supply chain.
Speakers identified five strategic priorities -- establishing an internationally recognised national halal assurance framework; developing specialised halal industrial clusters with modern laboratories and logistics; upgrading existing industries to international standards; involving SMEs, researchers, and young entrepreneurs; and promoting a "Bangladesh Halal Brand" through economic diplomacy.
BIISS Director General Maj Gen ASM Ridwanur Rahman delivered the welcome address at the seminar, while BIISS Research Director Dr Mahfuz Kabir presented the keynote paper.
Akhtar Hossain, deputy director of the Islamic Foundation's Halal Certification (Livestock) Division, and SM Abu Sayeed, deputy director (halal certification) of Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), participated in the panel discussion.
Speakers said halal products could become a new pillar of Bangladesh's exports if quality, safety, transparency, and international credibility are ensured alongside religious compliance.
