The Global Halal Brazil Business Forum (GHB Forum) recently hosted a pivotal event in São Paulo, where key players in the halal industry gathered to discuss and strategize on the future of halal trade between Brazil, the UAE, and other global partners. The forum highlighted the significant strides being made in the halal sector, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and the sharing of expertise.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi’s Vision for Global Halal Trade
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, was a prominent speaker at the GHB Forum. In his address, he emphasized the rapid global growth of the halal market, which is now valued at over $2.2 trillion. This figure represents 3.7% of global trade, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. Dr. Al Zeyoudi highlighted the UAE’s commitment to strengthening its relations with Brazil and other key nations, fostering opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange within the halal industry.
He also spoke about the UAE’s advanced halal system, which is recognized worldwide for its stringent standards and comprehensive certification processes. The UAE is eager to share its expertise with other countries, promoting global cooperation and the integration of technology to ensure sustainable development in the halal sector. Dr. Al Zeyoudi expressed his confidence that the GHB Forum would significantly contribute to these efforts, paving the way for more robust international partnerships.
Brazil’s Role in the Global Halal Market
Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, also delivered a keynote speech at the GHB Forum, celebrating Brazil’s remarkable achievement in halal trade. In 2022, Brazil’s exports to Arab League countries reached a record $17.74 billion, underscoring the country’s ability to meet the demands of this dynamic market. President Lula da Silva praised the strong ties between Brazil and the Arab world, attributing this success to Brazil’s commitment to quality and its understanding of the unique needs of halal consumers.
The Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, a key organizer of the GHB Forum, provided additional insights into Brazil’s leadership in food and beverage exports to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries. Brazil surpasses major global players like the United States, Indonesia, Türkiye, Australia, and China in this regard. However, the Chamber acknowledged the challenges ahead, particularly the need to diversify Brazil’s halal exports and promote a broader range of halal-certified products to meet the evolving demands of the global market.
GHB Forum: A Platform for Innovation
The GHB Forum, organized by the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and FAMBRAS Halal, serves as a critical platform for stakeholders across various sectors to explore opportunities within the halal economy in Brazil. The forum is not limited to food and beverage; it also covers industries such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, entertainment, fashion, finance, and tourism. By bringing together experts and industry leaders, the GHB Forum aims to raise awareness of Brazil’s role as a leading global supplier of halal products and to showcase the country’s potential in other sectors of the halal economy.
One of the key objectives of the GHB Forum is to facilitate discussions on how Brazil can leverage its strengths to become a more diversified halal supplier. This includes exploring new markets and developing innovative products that cater to the specific needs of halal consumers worldwide. The forum also emphasizes the importance of certification and quality control, ensuring that Brazilian products meet the highest halal standards.
UAE and Brazil: A Strategic Partnership
The UAE and Brazil have long enjoyed a strategic partnership, and the GHB Forum further solidifies this relationship. Both countries recognize the value of cooperation in the halal industry, with the UAE offering its expertise in certification and standards, and Brazil providing its vast agricultural resources and production capabilities. This partnership is expected to yield significant benefits for both nations, as they work together to expand their reach in the global halal market.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi’s speech at the GHB Forum highlighted the UAE’s willingness to assist Brazil in enhancing its halal certification processes and ensuring that Brazilian products continue to meet the growing demand for halal goods. He also emphasized the need for technological integration and innovation to keep up with the rapidly evolving halal market. By collaborating on these fronts, the UAE and Brazil can set new benchmarks for excellence in the halal industry.
Opportunities and Challenges of Halal Trade
The GHB Forum also addressed the future of halal trade, identifying key opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. One of the main opportunities is the increasing demand for halal products in non-Muslim-majority countries, driven by a growing awareness of the benefits of halal standards, which often go beyond religious requirements to include quality, hygiene, and ethical considerations.
However, the forum also acknowledged the challenges that come with this growth. As the halal market expands, there is a need for more robust regulatory frameworks and certification bodies to ensure that products meet the necessary standards. Additionally, the forum discussed the importance of consumer education, helping both Muslim and non-Muslim consumers understand what halal certification entails and why it is essential.
The Impact of the GHB Forum on Global Halal Trade
The Global Halal Brazil Business Forum (GHB Forum) has undoubtedly played a pivotal role in shaping the future of halal trade between Brazil, the UAE, and other participating countries. By fostering dialogue, sharing expertise, and promoting collaboration, the forum has set the stage for continued growth in the halal industry. The UAE and Brazil, with their complementary strengths, are well-positioned to lead this charge, ensuring that the global halal market continues to thrive and evolve.
As Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasized in their speeches, the key to success in the halal market lies in cooperation, innovation, and a commitment to quality. The GHB Forum has provided a valuable platform for these discussions, and its impact will be felt for years to come as the UAE and Brazil continue to forge stronger ties in the halal industry.
Global Halal Brazil Business Forum Unites Leaders to Expand Halal Market
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