Export of Halal meat from Pakistan: a potential hardly exploited.

Byline: Shabbir Kazmi

Interview with Mr Nasib Ahmed Saifi - an exporter of Halal meat

Profile:

CEO: Anis Associates (Pvt) Ltd.

Chairman: Saifigroup of Companies (U.A.E., Pakistan, Thailand, Bahrain and K.S.A.)

Chairman: Standing Committee on Halal Food Import and Export - LCCI

Chairman: FPCCI (Central) Standing committee on "Halal Meat Import and Export"

Chairman: All Pakistan Meat Exporters and Processors Association

Former Member: Executive Committee Member - LCCI

Patron: The Lahore General Hospital - Lahore

Pakistan has an overwhelming majority of Muslim population as well as enjoys enormous population of livestock. However, country's share in global Halal meat has remained minuscule. Without mincing words, it may be said that the successive Government in Pakistan, including the incumbent government has failed in implementing the policies, most sought after you the sector players. Following are excerpts from an exclusive interview with Nasib Ahmed Saifi.

PAGE: What kind of potential Pakistan enjoys in export of Halal meat?

Nasib Ahmed Saifi: Pakistan has a potential to earn more than US$ one billion from the export of Halal meat alone. However, the players need conducive working environment and supporting regulatory framework. Let me highlight two benchmarks which Pakistani exports have to meet. These are: 1) certification that the animals have been slaughtered and processed in accordance with the Shariah covenants and 2) the meat is as per quality standards of the importing country.

PAGE: Howe can Pakistan export any sizable quantity of meat when the country faces supply constraints?

Nasib Ahmed Saifi: I have stated in my opening remarks that the country has a significant size of livestock, but supply constraints mar the export potential. To begin with the country hardly has an infrastructure for the breeding of animals; there is an acute shortage of grazing fields as well as fodder, no monitoring of slaughtering of females/under aged animals, modern and scientific slaughter houses and above all lack of supporting regulatory framework.

PAGE: Isn't this surprising that many non-Muslim countries enjoy substantial share in global Halal food market?

Nasib Ahmed Saifi: The governments of these countries are fully cognizant of the requirements for the production of Halal meat. These governments not only facilitate the exporters but also invite the foreign buyers to visit these facilities and certify that the meat is being processed according...