Hanoi (VNA) – Experts and representatives froma number of countries, organisations and businesses gathered at a conference inHanoi on December 20 to share measures in producing and exporting products tothe international Halal market, as well as key information to promote thesustainable development of Vietnam’s Halal industry.

Addressing the event, Dr. Ha Minh Hiep, Acting GeneralDirector of the Vietnam Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality (STAMEQ)said he hopes domestic businesses will optimise the “keys” provided at the conferenceto promote Vietnam’s integration into the world Halal industry, while countriescan depend on these keys to be confident to invest in the Vietnamese Halal industry.

Malaysian Ambassador in Vietnam Dato' Tan Yang Thai saidthat Halal industry is closely attached to religious practices, making itdifficult for Vietnam - a non-Muslim country to approach.

However, he mentioned Australia as an example of anon-Muslim country that successfully develops its Halal industry, and advisedVietnam to be confident to develop this sector.

Director of the Vietnam Certification Centre (QUACERT) TranQuoc Dung said that the conference demonstrates the Vietnamese Government’s seriousattention to the development of the Halal market to serve Muslim countries.

He said he hopes the conference will help promote thecooperation efficiency among parties to serve the Muslim community in Vietnamand the world, paving the way for the Halal industry’s development in Vietnam.

Participants at the event discussed a wide range of issues relatedto Halal economy, culture and the potential and opportunities for Vietnam, aswell as the Halal standard system and the orientations for the building ofstandards for Vietnamese Halal industry.  

They also gave opinions on new measures to strengthen cooperationand make full use of international resources to increase Vietnamese firms’capacity to engage in production and supply chains of Halal products andservices in the world, and design development orientations for thecomprehensive and sustainable growth of the Vietnamese Halal industry.

Within the framework of the conference, the QUACERT and the Institutefor Africa and Middle East Studies signed a memorandum of understanding oncooperation in popularising knowledge, standards and certification services andinternational collaboration in Halal industry among relevant organisations,businesses, students, and agencies./.