The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has urged Pakistan government to take proactive initiatives to explore ‘Made in Pakistan’ products.

Mian Anjum Nisar, President of FPCCI, has asked the government and the private sector to take proactive initiatives to explore the true potential of Pakistani products and to make niche in global market while speaking to the gathering of Webinar organised by FPCCI on ‘Halal Industry’ in Pakistan ‘Potential and Challenges’ at Federation House, Karachi and Lahore Office.

The President FPCCI sought for improvement in quality of products, setting up accredited laboratories in order to meet standardisation and conformity of Halal Food products to increase its exports manifold.

Mian Anjum Nisar, President FPCCI stated that globally the halal industry is expanding more rapidly in non-Islamic nations compared to Islamic nations due to safer, hygienic, reliable and nutritious products. He further added that the volume of global halal trade is more than $3 trillion but the share of Pakistan is very minimal. He emphasised on the need to increase the halal food production and exports of semi cooked meat which is in highly demand in China and other Far East countries.

In his remarks, Sheikh Sultan Rehman, Vice President FPCCI stated that Halal industry has emerged into fast growing industry; attracting 2.4 billion people from all over the world. Pakistan, with a huge Muslim population, stands a chance of becoming a global hub for halal business, if the government pays attention to this industry. While quoting the statistics, he added that the trade of Halal industry has crossed three trillion dollars but the share of Pakistan is negligible (0.25 per cent). He further stated that Pakistan has direct access to 470 million consumers of halal products in Central Asia, Middle East and Europe; we may achieve great success, if we adopt proper strategy and planning for establishing this industry. This industry is not limited to foods and beverages; but includes pharmaceutical, food services, cosmetics, financial services, logistics, tourism etc, he added.

Dr. Akhtar Ahmed Bughio, Director General, Pakistan Halal Authority stated that standardization and conformity of halal products is need of the hour to increase halal sector related exports. He added that halal is value addition and we need to modify our standards as per international requirement. He informed that there is huge demand of Pakistani Gelatin to be used in halal medicines in Muslim countries. At present, only 5-6 companies are working in this sector and Pakistan is importing 75 million Gelatin capsule. A Representative of Punjab Halal Development Agency informed that Halal standards are not uniform in all countries which increase the cost of production and exports. There is need of development of one organisation at OIC level which should develop their own rules and procedures of halal exports. Dr. Muhammad Arshad Vice President FPCCI highlighted the potentials of halal meat which is highly demanded internationally due to texture and taste. He also informed that there is huge market of Pakistani meat in neighboring countries i.e. Afghanistan and Iran which can be explored by making new investment in cattle farming and slaughterhouses.

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