New approval opens Bangladesh halal exports
According to an official at the Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, the approval from the Malaysian department automatically included the organization in the list of bodies worldwide allowed to grant halal certification to food products.
“This means that the organization would be able to certify food products made in Bangladesh for adherence to Islamic dietary laws and regulations,” said the official.
Islamic Foundation Bangladesh is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Bangladesh that carries out activities related to the values and ideals of Islam in the country.
At least six Bangladeshi food manufacturers have already approached the organization for halal certification of their food products, and the organization would review their applications over the next six months.
“My understanding is that these companies have established partnerships with Malaysian importers to supply their food products to their markets,” he said.
Previously, a chunk of Bangladeshi halal food exports was going to the Middle East and not to other big consumers like Indonesia, China, India, and Malaysia.
According to data from the World Halal Forum secretariat, the global halal food market had reached a total of US$651 bn at the end of 2010, with Malaysia accounting for US$8.4 bn of it.
