The country’s export may hit another stumbling block due to government’s failure to set up much-needed Halal Board for Halal Food Accreditation which will go a long way to bolster country’s export and local sale.
An official who wished not to be named told “Online” that Halal Board will provide policy guidelines to Pakistan National Accreditation Counsel (PNAC) and Pakistan Standard Quality Control Authority (PSQCA).
The ministry of science and technology had announced in January this year that Halal Board would be established in February 2012 but it could not be set up so far due to delaying tactics by the ministry of science and technology. In the Halal Board the government has planned to have representation of private sector and Ulema along with representation of government functionaries.
“The ministry of science and technology is expecting to add additional Rs 20 billion in country’s export annually due to recently launched Halal Food Accreditation Scheme which may further grow with more consumer awareness in food as well as in non-food products,” said the official.
He said $2.77 trillion estimated global value of Halal market was fast growing with more consumer awareness not only in food sector but also in non-food products, like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, healthcare, toiletries and other non-consumables. The official said Pakistan has rich potential in livestock, dairy and poultry sector has the capability to capture this new market of Halal Food and being Islamic country Pakistan needs to benefit of this opportunity and once recognized then Halal certified goods and services chain starts which will help local sale and export.
