UAE To Help Bangladesh Set Up Global Halal Certification Center

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) recently sought collaboration and support from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to establish a Global Halal Certification Center in Bangladesh. This key discussion took place during a meeting on Saturday between the UAE Ambassador to Bangladesh, Saed Mohammed Almheiri, and the leadership of FBCCI, with its President, Sheikh F Fahim, presiding over the session.

A Strategic Vision for Halal Certification

The meeting emphasized the strategic importance of knowledge transfer and technological development to create a globally unified Halal certification system. Sheikh F Fahim, President of FBCCI, highlighted the need for developing essential training modules, enhancing soft skills, and establishing physical infrastructure to build a robust Halal certification process in Bangladesh. The envisioned Global Halal Certification Center aims to enable the country to tap into the lucrative global Halal market, leveraging the significant business potential in this sector.

Fahim also underlined FBCCI’s role in disseminating technical know-how related to Halal processing to its 500+ member associations and over 30 million entrepreneurs across Bangladesh. The transfer of such expertise and technology would enable Bangladeshi businesses to improve their Halal compliance, thus positioning them competitively in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and other Muslim-majority markets. Given the growing demand for Halal-certified products worldwide, establishing a unified Halal certification center could significantly boost Bangladesh’s exports in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other sectors.

UAE’s Support and the Global Halal Supply Chain

UAE Ambassador Saed Mohammed Almheiri expressed strong interest in working closely with FBCCI to develop the proposed Halal certification center. The collaboration aims to create a comprehensive system covering all stages of the Halal supply chain, from raw materials to the finished product. The ambassador highlighted that UAE’s support would not only involve establishing the certification center but also contributing to knowledge-sharing on best practices in Halal standards and supply chain management.

Such a partnership is expected to bring significant benefits to both countries. The UAE, as one of the key players in the global Halal economy, stands to gain from increased trade with a reliable Halal-certified partner like Bangladesh. In turn, Bangladesh can enhance its trade relations with the UAE and other Muslim-majority countries, diversifying its export portfolio and increasing access to a global market valued at over $2 trillion.

Current Trade Relations and Future Opportunities

The economic ties between Bangladesh and the UAE are robust and growing. According to FBCCI data, the total trade volume between the two countries in the last fiscal year stood at US$ 1.57 billion. Bangladesh’s exports to the UAE reached US$ 0.34 billion, while imports from the UAE totaled US$ 1.23 billion. The establishment of a Halal certification center could further boost trade, allowing Bangladesh to expand its Halal exports to the UAE and other countries within the GCC and beyond.

With Halal products gaining traction in both Muslim-majority and non-Muslim markets, Bangladesh is keen on enhancing its export offerings to meet global Halal standards. This includes compliance with rigorous requirements for production, processing, and packaging to ensure that goods are Halal-certified from source to shelf.

Meeting Attendees and Key Participants

The meeting included notable representatives from both the FBCCI and the UAE, signaling a high-level commitment to advancing this partnership. Attendees included FBCCI Senior Vice-President Md Muntakim Ashraf, Vice-Presidents Md Siddiqur Rahman, and Mir Nizam Uddin Ahmed, as well as Directors Nizam Uddin and Sujib Ranjan Dash. Former FBCCI Director Khairul Huda Chapal and other industry leaders were also present to discuss the framework and future action plans for the proposed Halal certification initiative.

The collaboration between FBCCI and the UAE represents a strategic step forward in strengthening Bangladesh’s position in the global Halal market. By leveraging UAE’s expertise and support, Bangladesh aims to not only build a Halal certification center but also enhance its market access and credibility as a producer of quality Halal goods that meet international standards. This joint effort is expected to open up new trade avenues, foster economic growth, and solidify Bangladesh’s role in the burgeoning global Halal industry.