Experts call for stronger halal infrastructure to boost Bangladesh’s global competitiveness

Bangladesh's ambition to capture a larger share of the $3.5 trillion global halal market by 2028 is being constrained by its weak halal infrastructure, according to a study presented by industry experts.

Despite strong domestic demand from a Muslim-majority population of more than 170 million, the country's halal ecosystem — including certified slaughterhouses, testing laboratories and traceability systems — remains underdeveloped, said Dr Mominul Islam of International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT).

He made the remarks today (11 October) while presenting a keynote paper on "Development of Bangladesh Halal Industry: Challenges and Opportunities" at the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) auditorium.

The report identified outdated slaughtering facilities, weak traceability systems and reliance on conventional production methods as major barriers to international compliance. Most slaughtering operations are still carried out in traditional abattoirs with limited adherence to global halal standards, in contrast to countries like Australia, which maintain robust traceability through bodies such as the Australian Halal Authority and Accreditation (AHAA), according to the report.

The study also pointed to a technology and supply chain gap, noting that much of Bangladesh's halal production still depends on manual systems. Although leading companies such as Bengal Meat, BRAC Dairy and Pran Foods have adopted modern slaughtering machines and digital traceability tools, the sector overall suffers from limited R&D funding and low awareness among small and medium enterprises, the study has found.

Experts stressed that adopting technologies such as blockchain and QR-based tracking could strengthen authenticity, global competitiveness and consumer confidence.

Speaking at the focus group discussion, Export Promotion Bureau Director General‑1 Baby Rani Karmakar said, "The avenues for collaboration are open, but Bangladesh must strengthen its readiness. To secure a place in the global halal market, we need coordinated action, stronger branding, and a proactive presence on international platforms."

Metamorphosis Managing Director and COO Sadiq M Alam said, "Bangladesh needs a single digital platform for halal registration, certification, and traceability; supported by tamper-resistant electronic certificates and blockchain-backed systems. This ecosystem will connect manufacturers, labs, logistics, and buyers, enabling SMEs to join the halal industry more easily and transparently."

Bangladesh Accreditation Board Director General Mohd Aminul Islam said, "The global halal market is now worth trillions of dollars, and Bangladesh cannot afford to stay behind. With the right policy support, certification, and private-sector engagement, our halal industry can become a major driver of export growth."

DCCI Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury, who moderated the session, said, "Bangladesh holds immense potential in the global halal economy, but awareness, modern infrastructure, and international compliance remain our biggest challenges. To build a credible halal ecosystem, we must introduce automated certification, strengthen testing and logistics, and align our standards with global benchmarks."

For sustainable growth, the study recommended investment in dedicated halal-compliant slaughterhouses and improved logistics infrastructure. It also suggested learning from Malaysia's governance model, Indonesia's certification framework and Thailand's branding strategy to build a globally recognised halal ecosystem.