Halal World Food Exhibition – 2014

February 2014

The first Halal World Food Exhibition was held as part of Gulfood 2014. More than 450 of the world’s leading halal manufacturers, processors and distributors from over 50 countries took part.

Helal Almarri, CEO, DWTC and Director General, Dubai Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) said: “Given that Dubai already convenes the world’s biggest annual gathering of food industry professionals at Gulfood, there was a strong catalyst to further our market proposition with the launch of Halal World Food – a vibrant addition to the global halal food sector.

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  • HE Helal Almarri, CEO, DWTC and Director General, Dubai Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM)

“This new initiative represents an engaging, value-added proposition for our global network of food manufacturers and traders, and underlines the innovative vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Development of Islamic Economy.

“As the primary trading hub of the MENA region, which boasts the highest concentration of Muslims of any global region, Dubai’s geographical position makes it the ideal location to serve at the convergence of Islamic finance and the halal food industry – key drivers of international Islamic economics.”

The global halal market predicted to be worth US $10 trillion by 2030

With the global halal market predicted to be a US $10 trillion industry by 2030, according to David Smith, Global Futures and Foresights Study, the emirate’s visionary addition of Halal World Food to its international food strategy has already received backing from several heavyweight players in the global sector including Midamar Corporation, the USA’s leading halal brand and a pioneering force in North American since 1974, Sadia International, one of the world’s leading halal brands of chilled and frozen foods, and Al Ghurair Foods, the Dubai-based manufacturers of multi-product halal food lines.

“Developing Dubai as an international Islamic Economic hub shows the foresight of its leaders and will provide opportunities for growth, development and prosperity in the region,” said Jalel Aossey, Director, Midamar Corporation. “A new halal structured environment, supported by the government of Dubai, will encourage the UAE food industry to develop this large and growing food market.”

The advent of World Halal Food comes as Dubai readies for a watershed year in its longterm strategy to establish global credentials as a market leader for halal finance, goods, services and certification.

Following the Government of Dubai launching its ‘Dubai – Capital of Islamic Economy’ initiative last October, the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA) and Dubai Municipality plan to introduce globally-recognised standards and certification for halal food products and slaughtering later this year.

Read more in the Spring edition of the Arab Irish Journal