Malaysia sets RM56 billion target for halal food exports: Envoy.

ISLAMABAD -- Acting High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan, Deddy Faisal Ahmad Salleh on Sunday said that Malaysia has set a target of RM 56 Billion for export revenue in the halal food industry by 2025 to get benefit the global halal food market.

Malaysia's current exports in the halal food industry are 35.8 billion RM, which is a huge growth potential according to the size of the global halal market, Malaysian envoy, Deddy Faisal Ahmad Salleh told reporter here.

The Malaysian envoy said that the current size of the global halal market in terms of revenue is $2 trillion was expected to increase to $3 trillion by the year 2027.

He said that there were huge opportunities for cooperation in 'Halal Food Market' between Pakistan and Malaysia and this sector in Malaysia had an extensive network of value added industry and multinational companies that could help Pakistan to connect with the global supply chain.

Deddy Faisal said that traditionally, halal food includes meat, poultry, seafood, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, grains,oil, fats, waxes and confectioneries but it could be sold at competitive price in the global market by bringing value added products.

Replying to a question, he said the Malaysian halal standard is now being widely used by several renowned global multinational companies (MNCs) including Nestle and Unilever.

Malaysia's halal portfolio has also expanded beyond food and beverage, venturing into various other sectors such as cosmetics, logistics, pharmaceutical and most recently, tourism, he said.

He said that the country provided the world's first halal in-flight catering on board its national carrier, Malaysia Airlines.

Replying to another question, he said that there was a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Malaysia, which had to bring the business communities of both the countries closer to make it more effective.

He said that currently, Malaysia had seven bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the following countries: Australia, Chile, India, Japan, New Zealand, Pakistan and Turkey.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members have established the ASEAN Free Trade (FTA) area also. 'I call upon the business community of Pakistan to be the partner and catalyst for reform, to drive sustainability and to contribute to our collective goal of shared prosperity,' he said.

He said that his country could play a major role in providing Islamabad with economic and trade opportunities in...