Dong Nai helps businesses tap Halal market, pursue international certification

On August 12, the Dong Nai Department of Science and Technology (DoST), in collaboration with GHC Global Halal Certification Company Limited (GHC HALAL) of Ho Chi Minh City, held a conference on opportunities to tap into the Halal market and the pathway to international Halal certification for local businesses.

The program aimed to help businesses, cooperatives, and production and trading establishments capitalize on opportunities to expand export markets and enhance their competitiveness.

Deputy Director of the DoST Trinh Thi Hoa speaks at the conference. Photo: Vuong The

At the conference, experts provided an overview of the global Halal market and its potential for Vietnamese products, as well as the requirements of Muslim consumers and sectors with significant growth potential, including food, beverages, fashion, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and Muslim-friendly tourism. According to GHC HALAL materials, the global Muslim population currently stands at around 2 billion, creating a large consumer market with considerable room for further growth. Businesses need to identify their target markets, assess their raw materials and production processes, and review storage, packaging, and transportation practices, as well as their ability to control the risk of cross-contamination. They also need to choose certification bodies that meet the requirements of their target export markets. Obtaining Halal certification is not merely a procedural requirement; it also requires businesses to establish a comprehensive Halal control system across the entire production chain.

GHC HALAL experts share information about Halal products and technical regulations. Photo: Vuong The

The conference also provided updates on new regulations governing quality management and policies for developing Halal products and services. The information is expected to strengthen regulatory oversight while helping businesses standardize their products and production processes and gradually integrate into the global Halal value chain.

Delegates pose for a group photo after the conference. Photo: Vuong The

Speaking at the conference, Trinh Thi Hoa, Deputy Director of the DoST, stressed that Dong Nai is well-positioned to develop Halal products for export, given its strengths in agriculture, processing industries, food production, and logistics. These training courses help businesses move from recognizing the market's potential to proactively developing suitable products, production processes, and market access strategies, thereby expanding export markets and increasing the value of Dong Nai's products. The department will step up efforts to disseminate relevant laws and regulations and raise businesses' awareness of Halal products and services. It will also assess businesses' demand for support in adopting Halal standards and develop guidance materials for several of the locality's key agricultural and One Commune One Product (OCOP) products.

By V. The – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho