Karachi: FPCCI represented Pakistan’s private sector in Makkah Halal Forum 2024 and has apprised that global halal foods market size has reached whopping $ 2.5 trillion. It doesn’t stop there as it will continue to grow at 13.5 percent per year for next 10 years, resulting in an expected more than two-fold increase in global market size to $ 5.8 trillion by year 2033.

Highlight of FPCCI delegation’s visit was signing of FPCCI-MANAFEA Agreement, which was witnessed by Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi, Commerce Minister of Saudi Arabia. MANAFEA Partnership is coalition of Makkah Chamber, Madina Chamber, Jeddah Chamber, Taif Chamber and Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture. Agreement is aimed at enhancement of Pakistan’s export to OIC countries in general and Saudi Arabia in particular, he added.

President Atif Ikram Sheikh explained that Pakistan has got all what it takes to swiftly claim its share in global halal foods market as all food products produced in Pakistan are halal and, no extra labour or costs will incur if we target more of that produce to exports. Interestingly, halal foods market is growing in most of countries irrespective of whether Muslim or not.

FPCCI chief stressed that importance of Makkah Halal Forum is such that 120 countries and 200 major exhibitors participated with theme ‘Innovation in Halal Industry.’ He said that Pakistan should aim to attain at least 1 percent of market share over next 3-5 year and, that alone can mean exports of $ 25 billion as per current market size. We cannot be left out of this humongous export potential, he added.

He highlighted that tapping into GCC countries holds key to multiplying Pakistani halal foods exports; i.e. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman; for reason that Pakistan has very warm and brotherly relations with these countries and these countries are willing to help us to deal with our economic woes.

He held important meetings with Sheikh Abdullah Saleh Kamel President Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Jassim Bin Mohd Al-Thani President Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Qatar and VP ICCIA.

Rifat Hisarciklioglu President TOBB and VP ICCIA,. Alhaji Dalbatu Abubakar President CONSCCIMA, Ali Adji Mahamat Seid President CCIAMA and Faman Toure President CCI-COTE D’IVOIRE.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 02 2024

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