PAKISTAN, M`SIA JOIN HANDS FOR MAJOR SHARE IN WORLD HALAL MARKET

KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- A combination of technology and
investment from Malaysia and halal raw materials from Pakistan will help the two
countries get a big share of the world halal market.

This was stated by the chief executive of Trade Development Authority of
Pakistan, Syed Mohibullah Shah in Karachi, Pakistan Thursday night during the
launch of the Global Halal Expo and Global Halal Congress 2010.

In a statement issued here today by the Pakistan High Commission, he was
quoted saying that the trade policy 2009-2012 announced on July 27, provided a
50 percent subsidy on the certification of halal food which will encourage the
bigger players to enter the halal market.

The halal market is estimated at US$632 billion currently and said to be
growing at a rate of 20 percent per annum due to rising prosperity among the
Muslim countries.

Mohibullah also said that 85 percent of the halal food was manufactured by
non-Muslims.

This necessitates the joining of hands by Pakistan and Malaysia to enter the
market in a big way, he added.

On the expo and congress, Consul General of Malaysia Mohammad Khaled Abdul
Razzaq said it will open venues for investment and joint venture in halal food
between Pakistan and Malaysia, and other Muslim countries.

-- BERNAMA