Indonesia Shariah Economic Festival 2025 increases exposure for startups, designers

The Indonesian National Committee of Sharia Economics and Finance (Komite Nasional Ekonomi dan Keuangan Syariah or KNEKS), together with the Department of Economy and Shariah Finance at Bank Indonesia (DEKS), have held a Halal Startup Demo Day (HSDD) as part of Indonesia Shariah Economic Festival (ISEF) 2025. ISEF is Indonesia's largest annual shari'ah economic and financial event. 

Themed Dare to Jumpstart Halal Industry With Ambition, HSDD 2025 brought 20 halal industry startups, investors, mentors, and stakeholders together.

Rp21 B has been set aside for selected startups. Potential business partners and committed investors include the Indonesian Muslim Entrepreneur Community (Komunitas Pengusaha Muslim Indonesia or KPMI), the Gaido Group, Equitree, PUM Netherlands, the Rahmania Foundation, HASAN Venture Capital, BTPN Syariah Venture Capital, and LBS Urun Dana. Other participants included the Indonesian Fintech Association (AFSI), the Venture Capital Association for Indonesian Startups (AMVESINDO), Gobi Partner, and World Startup.

"On behalf of Bank Indonesia, we express our highest appreciation and appreciation to the KNEKS and all parties participating in the implementation of this activity—from the organising partners, supporting institutions, to startups that today will showcase their work and innovation in the halal industry sector," said Yono, Deputy Director of Economics and Finance of Sharia at Bank Indonesia in a statement in Bahasa Indonesia*.

“In line with the great vision of Asta Cita Indonesia, Bank Indonesia is committed through this activity to supporting the acceleration of the national halal startup ecosystem in order to cement Indonesia as the world’s halal industry hub through matching innovators with investors, and opening wider access to Islamic financing. This activity is also a platform to strengthen the halal value chain and nurture superior startups that are ready to compete globally.”

“The Ministry of Industry is committed to supporting the growth of technology startups in the industry through the Startup for Industry programme. This programme is a forum for coaching and acceleration for startups to collaborate with the industrial sector, present technology-based solutions, and strengthen the national supply chain," said Dini Hangandari, Director of IKM, LMEA, Ministry of Industry.

The 20 startups came from a variety of sectors, including food and beverage, fashion, health, shari'ah finance, Muslim-friendly tourism, renewable energy, as well as media and recreation.

The Director of Business and Entrepreneurship of Sharia at KNEKS, Putu Rahwidiyasa, said that HSDD 2025 is an important part of KNEKS' commitment in driving the growth of the innovation-based sharia economy. “We want to help startups be ready to compete in the domestic and global markets by taking advantage of funding opportunities and a wider network,” he said.

HSDD 2025 is here to address the obstacles faced by many startups in obtaining adequate access to funding, networking, and business assistance. Through this activity, startups are expected to gain access to funding, guidance from experienced mentors, and expand the network with investors, buyers, and strategic partners. The programme also provides mentoring through the development of pitch decks.

Wahyu Wicaksono, Director of Applications, Ministry of Creative Economy, Indonesia, shared that the development of halal-based creative economic startups has been prioritised. "Through digital technology and creativity, startups can deliver halal products and services that are more inclusive, competitive, and have a broad economic impact,” he said. 

“Continuous collaboration between stakeholders — governments, financial institutions, investors, academia, and the entrepreneurial community. The hope is that this activity will give birth to a generation of halal startups that are innovative, competitive, and make a real contribution to the progress of the nation," said imbuh Irwansyah, Asdep Incubation And Digitalization of Entrepreneurial Deputy for Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium sized Enterprises (MSMEs). 

"HSDD 2025 is expected to be a strategic meeting point that strengthens the synergy between stakeholders and opens up greater opportunities for halal startups in Indonesia," Putu added.

The Indonesia International Modest Fashion Festival (IN2MOTIONFEST) 2025, also part of ISEF 2025, showcased 1,785 modest fashion works, highlighting the richness of Indonesian wastra***.

Organised by the Indonesian Fashion Chamber (IFC) together with Bank Indonesia, IN2MOTIONFEST is committed to optimising the use of Indonesia's rich cultural diversity and wastra in sustainable modest fashion products. This approach aligns with the implementation of a green economy within the Indonesian modest fashion industry, positioning it as a strong player in the global market.

Themed One Vision, One Movement: Advancing Indonesia Modest Fashion Through Synergy & Collaboration the event emphasised collective action, cross-sector collaboration, and synergy among industry players to enable Indonesia's modest fashion to dominate the domestic market and compete globally.

A wide variety of wastra from across Indonesia—including batik, songket, ikat weaving, ATBM (non-machine weaving), lurik, tapis, sasirangan, jumputan (tie-dye), embroidery, knits, and ecoprints—were showcased in diverse modest fashion styles. These pieces were designed by members of IKRA (Indonesia Sharia Creative Industry), fashion brands, MSMEs, and fashion school students.

Source: IFC. The Grand Finale on Opening Day at IN2MOTIONFEST 2025. Models wearing Khanaan fashion.

IN2MOTIONFEST 2025 featured a fashion show and trade exhibition, presented modest fashion collections from 214 designers and brands, both local and international, along with 100 wastra artisans participating in the Wastra Business Matching programme. This year, IN2MOTIONFEST collaborated with 11 international designers from Thailand, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Malaysia, Turkey, Italy, Spain, Australia, and the UAE (Dubai).

Explore

View catwalk videos from the at https://www.instagram.com/in2motionfest/?hl=en

*Parts of this content came from an e-translated press release and may be inaccurate as a result.

**Asta Cita refers to the eight aspirations conceived by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto towards achieving the vision of a Golden Indonesia in 2045. The aspirations cover welfare, economic resilience, food and energy sovereignty, education and human resource development, and strong national defence.

***Wastra refers to traditional Indonesian textiles, such as batik and tenun ikat, which come with a rich cultural heritage, and are associated with complex symbolism and quality craftsmanship.

MUIS welcomes 20th Council

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) has welcomed its 20th Council, which guides MUIS in overseeing Singapore’s Muslim community's socioreligious needs. Their three-year term runs from 7 August 2025 to 6 August 2028. 

Under Section 7 of the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA), President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has appointed the Council members, which includes MUIS's President Mohamed Sa’at Abdul Rahman; Chief Executive Kadir Maideen; and Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, the Mufti of Singapore. 

Other members were recommended by the Singapore Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim and President Mohamed Sa’at from nominations by various Muslim organisations. 

MUIS's new Council blends draws both senior and emerging leaders from across the education, public service, corporate, religious, and social sectors. It will see a diverse team of seven returning members and nine new appointees who will set the direction of MUIS's key initiatives and strategic thrusts in the next three years. 

Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim commented: “Today's rapidly changing environment requires both experienced leadership and innovative perspectives to steer our community forward and ensure that its socioreligious needs are well cared for. 

"The 20th MUIS Council embodies this balance. Collectively, their diverse expertise reflects our continued commitment to shape impactful policies and deliver targeted programmes, in tandem with our community's evolving needs. I thank the outgoing 19th Council members for their contributions. I am confident that the new Council will bring in fresh insights that will benefit MUIS and the community, and I encourage MUIS to continue strengthening its partnership with the community and its key partners.” 

Maideen stated: "The new Council's diverse expertise will bring fresh perspectives to our deliberations. As we welcome them, we thank our outgoing Council members for their leadership and dedicated service. Their achievements have laid a strong foundation, which the incoming Council will build upon to develop innovative solutions for current and future challenges." 

Ustazah Dr Siti Nur 'Alaniah Abdul Wahid, a new member of the Council said: "Our blend of new and experienced Council members creates a strong team for our Muslim community. The generous guidance offered by longer-serving members, combined with fresh perspectives from new appointees, positions us well to build on impactful and sustainable programmes while finding innovative solutions. I appreciate their support as we begin this important work together."

First batches of Hajj pilgrims arrive

The KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has reported via Facebook that its #Hajj_and_Umrah ecosystem has received pilgrims from Indonesia and Turkiye at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Airport in Al-Madinah.

Hashtags: #Ease_and_Tranquility, #No_Hajj_Without_a_Permit

Ministry of Hajj and Umrah warns of fines of up to SR100,000 for Hajj violations

Source: Saudi Ministry of Hajj
and Umrah Facebook page.
Hajj without a permit
exposes individuals to penalties
and regulatory accountability.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in KSA has emphasised that an official permit to perform the Hajj for the 1446 AH season (2025) is compulsory. This requirement ensures the safety and security of pilgrims as they perform the rituals of the pilgrimage.

The ministry stressed that Hajj can only be performed by domestic pilgrims who have an official permit, and pilgrims from overseas with a regular Hajj visa. All other types of visas do not enable their holders to perform the pilgrimage. It also said that scams should be reported immediately.

The Ministry said that there are penalties against anyone who violates Hajj instructions, including those caught attempting to perform Hajj without a permit. Violators will be subject to a fine of up to SR20,000. The same fine will also be applied to holders of all types of visit visas if they enter or attempt to enter Makkah Al-Mukarramah or remain there during the period from 1 Dhu al-Qidah until the end of 14 Dhu al-Hijjah. 

Those who aid violaters will also be punished, with fines going as high as as SR100,000. There are penalties for facilitating visit visas for individuals who perform or attempt to perform Hajj without a permit, or for transporting, sheltering, or concealing them. Fines will be multiplied according to the number of violaters. 

Additional penalties include the deportation of trespassing residents and a 10-year ban from entering the country, as well as the confiscation of any land transportation vehicle proven to have been used in transporting holders of all types of visit visas to the city of Makkah Al-Mukarramah and the holy sites.

Hashtags: #Ease_and_Tranquility, #No_Hajj_Without_a_Permit

The best Ramadhan videos 2025

Every year, brands come up with videos during Ramadhan to entertain. Here's a selection of the best.

Petronas imagines what could happen when a son has to do Raya (Eid) visits on his mum's behalf, meeting relatives who are strangers, and relatives ask "whose child are you?" In Malay with English subtitles.

Source: Petronas YouTube channel. Anak Siapa Ni? is the Raya video for 2025.

Anak Siapa Ni? https://youtu.be/G7f4-MUTYgc?si=ljywLs1aS9e3DALg (5.47)
#PassionateAboutProgress, #AnakSiapaNi

- 

BHPetrol went for a Raya wedding with a twist, bringing home some of the realities we all face. In Malay with English subtitles.

Hingga Hujung https://youtu.be/94KAQsT4rQA?si=2o3EF-RIj-KJtpny (4.55)
#bhpetrol #bhpetroluntuksemua #ramadan2025 #datukrahimrazali #mierulaiman #fatimahabubakar #saraali #nabilahuda

- 

At the Watson's YouTube channel, Melati was expecting her mum Rokiah to marry Ramli, but is introduced to Ropie instead. Three figures climb out of the TV to settle who will be the better husband. A singing emcee keeps the plot on track. In Malay with English subtitles.

Raya Terunggul Watsons https://youtu.be/2sR1zIxqtrs?si=fMR3M-BLje9HRJ9r (6.59)
#WatsonsRaya2025, #WatsonsRayaTerunggul, #ShaheizySam, #KartinaAziz, #DatukYusofHaslam, #GOAT

-

Spritzer Water came up with a clever way to showcase the brand for Raya, with a message for health as well. In Malay.

Raya Lebih Bermakna (Mana Adam?) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UY-ctiOqjk (5.31)
#SpritzerSparklingRaya, #RayaLebihBermakna, #3Generasi3Resipi 

-

Heavier topics are tackled:

Zain's video is all about hope. In Arabic.

سجلنا حضور https://youtu.be/qJuGsTvNvZA?si=kq3KQJcPrBVqXgHf (2.19)

-

Lighter topics offer entertainment:

Zalora has an untitled video all about fashion secrets. In English.

https://youtu.be/v7nJ-QGAvy0?si=qWygqsGhNQ9d6JZo (1.42)
#Zaloraya

-

When your Japanese son-in-law and his dad come to visit, how do you bridge the cultural gap? FamilyMart Malaysia's take is funny and heartwarming. In Malay with English subtitles.

Operasi Raya 2025 https://youtu.be/GHQYnnG5KSc?si=0U3DMPyQDZ9LltfB (8.07)
#OperasiRaya #RayaBersama 

-

Two brothers take the train together with their wives in KTMB's video. During the journey, the younger reads a love letter his brother wrote in school...In Malay with English subtitles. KTM is Malaysia's rail system.

Rahsia Along https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTUJ4qbIENo (7.54)
#RahsiaAlong, #KTMBRaya, #KTMB140tahun, #DestinasiSyawal

-

Then there are the catchy music videos:

A musical way to list rituals and values with kids singing refrains. In Arabic.

كليب رمضان ما احلاك https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPuhYsju_Fg (3.31)
Hashtags: مصطفى_المومري #اليمن #كوميدي #كليب #رمضان #انشوده #اغنيه #مصطفى_المومري #كوميدي #اليمن #السعوديه #الامارات #الكويت #قطر #مسلسلات كليب رمضان _ 2025 حصرياً

-

Ithra (the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture) piles on the colour and music in an Eid song in Arabic. 

نطير فرحًا https://youtu.be/vU-EXD_xBP0?si=9gCY89dRyaRmn9iW (2.02)
Hashtags: عيد_إثراء إثراء

-

Nasheed videos included:

Mesut Kurtis and Maher Zain have a new Arabic/English video.

Never Forget https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3OOXyw3V1Q (5.15)

-

Rollercoaster of emotions:

An origin story from RHB Group about a charity that provides Eid clothing to those who need them. In Malay, with English subtitles.

Sulaman Kebersamaan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leyiu2CXDi0 (4.56)
#BersamaSamaMenempaKemajuan

-

A daughter learns about the gritty reality outside her world with this video from Gardenia. In Malay with English subtitles.

Kongsi Kasih https://youtu.be/h82F9JbW_6U?si=eIT9FaZFXI-wMFtL (2.18)
#gardenia, #GardeniaKL, #GardeniaCares, #kongsikasih 

-

An acceptance letter, but no money. An eldest child, and sacrifice in a video from ASNB.

Amanah Sulung https://youtu.be/IUP0zUSSLNY?si=SokUktAP_BoALuuD (6.00)
#ASNB #PNB

-

Another tearjerker, from Bright Cow. A child is filled with despair when someone else accidentally destroys the milk he was going to bring home. In Malay.

Kasih Ahnaf https://youtu.be/0gqiT5MmBNw?si=s5nbiGPxTLy-n-_D (6.54)
#KasihAhnaf #CukupAdaMeriahRaya #BrightCow #ProdukKeluaranFGV

-

A powerful story about misunderstandings and regrets, and sibling rivalry from Radio Televisyen Malaysia.

Duit Raya dah Berapa? https://youtu.be/hhtB3RXJzrA (11.11)

- 

Komuniti Dakwah Tarbiah has a video about a distant father. 

Tunggu Abah https://youtu.be/ghE1-DGA4BA?si=1XAVikKVrsyLbjGH (10.09)
#bersamabudayakandakwah, #saifulapek, #saiful, #apek

Hashtags: #AIDILFITRI2025, #FilemRaya2025, #IklanRaya, #IklanRaya2025, #Ramadan2025, #Ramadhan2025, #Raya2025, #RayaFilm2025, #SalamAidilfitri, #SelamatHariRaya, SelamatHariRayaAidilfitri, #ShortFilmRaya, #videoraya2025 

A traditional route to charity with Qalby Etmaan

The Qalby Etmaan programme has launched clay donation boxes for its eighth season in line with the national Year of Community. 

The boxes are made by Emirati potters and artisans locally, and packaged in environmentally-friendly burlap and recycled paper. Packed by humanitarian institutions and volunteers, such as the UAE Red Crescent, Zayed Foundation for Charitable and Humanitarian Works, and Khalifa Foundation for Charitable and Humanitarian Works, each box will be delivered at no cost.

This initiative aims instil the concept of goodness is within everyone's reach, simplifying charitable acts and emphasizing the importance of everyone's contribution to the community, while highlighting the profound impact their donations can have. The donation boxes also seek to revive tradition in the age of digitisation, especially with the decline in the use of cash.

Funds collected will be used to plant 100,000 date palms, with date sales directly supporting orphaned children in Gaza over the long-term.

Source: Qalby Etmaan. A clay donation box.

The boxes will be broken open on March 25, coinciding with the 25th day of Ramadhan, and the clay will be mixed with soil and used to improve soil quality and fertility.

Over 5,000 Clay donation boxes will be distributed, with 10 boxes containing free tickets for winners to attend the filming of the next season of the Qalby Etmaan program.

Details

The clay donation boxes will be available at multiple distribution points, including the Qalby Etmaan online store, Hamad Store, ADNOC fuel stations, and UAE Red Crescent kiosks in shopping malls.

To contribute to Qalby Etmaan projects and initiatives, visit https://www.emiratesrc.ae/Ghaith/Home.aspx

The Qalby Etmaan programme is available on YouTube, Abu Dhabi TV, and the Abu Dhabi TV app at:
7 pm UAE time | 6 pm KSA time

GAC completes Ramadhan charity drive in Dubai

GAC, known for its high-performance vehicles, has hosted a charity initiative in Dubai during Ramadhan. The company distributed 300 food boxes to local labour groups, reflecting the brand's commitment to giving back to society and strengthening bonds with the region's consumers. 

Two GAC M8 and two GAC GS8 vehicles provided transportation to key locations. GAC representatives distributed 30 food boxes to mosque workers at a local mosque, while 270 food boxes were given to labourers at a dormitory. 

 

Source: GAC. GAC strengthens community bonds with Ramadhan charity drive in Dubai. Wang Shunsheng, VP, GAC International, joined volunteers at the dealership to pack food boxes, reinforcing the company's hands-on approach to community integration. 

Agoda: Nearly 80% increase in accommodation searches

As the Hari Raya (Eid al Fitr) holiday approaches, digital travel platform Agoda has seen* an almost 80% month-on-month increase in accommodation searches from travellers in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore for this year's festive period. This increase reflects a growing interest in travel, with travellers actively planning their getaways.

Hari Raya or marks the end of Ramadhan, a month of fasting, reflection, and community for Muslims worldwide. It is a time for joy, connection, and celebration. For many, it's also the perfect opportunity to travel, whether to visit loved ones, return to hometowns, or to enjoy a holiday after a month of spiritual focus.

Travellers are showing an interest in exploring beyond their immediate regions, Agoda said. Thailand and Japan lead the way as the top two most-searched destinations among travellers from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, suggesting a desire for diverse cultural experiences during the festive break. Mainland China, South Korea, and Taiwan complete the top five.

When looking at the city level, Bangkok is the most-searched destination, followed by Tokyo and Seoul. Hong Kong secured the fourth spot, while Taipei rounds out the top five.

Gede Gunawan, Senior Country Director Indonesia at Agoda said: "Hari Raya is a time when travel becomes an important part of the celebration. It's great to see people looking forward to reconnecting with family, exploring new destinations, or simply taking a well-deserved break. The increase in searches compared to the previous month reflects the anticipation for travel and the desire to use the holiday for travel opportunities. 

"At Agoda, we aim to ensure that wherever travellers choose to go, they can find the right accommodation at an affordable price, with a seamless booking experience."

*The data provided is based on Agoda accommodation searches for check-ins between 29 March and 1 April 2025. The comparison is between searches conducted from 1-25 January 2025 and 1-25 February 2025.

2025 Islamic Arts Biennale is accepting visitors

Source: Image by Marco Cappelletti, courtesy of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation. View of the outdoor exhibition spaces at the 2025 Islamic Arts Biennale.

The 2nd Islamic Arts Biennale, titled And All That Is In Between, has opened in Jeddah.

The Islamic Arts Biennale is the world's only biennial exhibition dedicated to the arts of Islamic civilisation. The global project highlights the contemporary relevance of tradition through the presence of historical objects and new artistic commissions. By juxtaposing historical objects from Islamic cultures with contemporary art, the Biennale explores how faith is experienced, expressed, and celebrated through feeling, thinking, and making.

The 2025 edition of the Biennale brings together loans from over 30 of the world's leading institutions, including the Vatican Apostolic Library (Vatican City), the Louvre Museum (Paris), and the Victoria and Albert Museum (London), as well as collections devoted specifically to Islamic arts and cultures, such as the Ahmed Baba Institute of Higher Learning and Islamic Research (Timbuktu), the Museum of Islamic Art (Doha), and the Manuscript Institution of Türkiye (Istanbul). 

Additionally, the Biennale has partnered with institutions from across KSA, offering visitors a chance to see objects and works of art from Makkah and Madinah.

The show spans five exhibition halls and outdoor areas with 100,000 sq m of exhibition space, and Opresents more than 500 objects in dialogue with contemporary artworks. Over 30 artists from KSA, the wider Gulf region, and around the world are represented. Of note is the first-ever display of the entire kiswah—the cloth that covers the Ka'aba (كسوة الكعبة)—outside of Makkah.

Details

The Islamic Arts Biennale takes place in Jeddah at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport. The exhibition ends May 25, 2025.

UAE outbound tourism expected to be worth US$24 billion by 2025

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Outbound Tourism Market, Tourist Numbers, Countries, and Purpose of Visit report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Outbound tourism includes the travelling activities of residents from one country to another. For the UAE, the market is estimated to be worth US$24 billion by the year 2025 due to increasing globalisation, says Renub Research.

The UAE has emerged as an important source of outbound tourism market over the years and is expected to grow due to factors such as a rise in disposable income, passion to explore the world and increasingly-efficient flight connectivity to different parts of the world. In addition, UAE citizens also choose to travel to learn about different cultures. These heritage travellers usually visit historic and culturally-significant sites to meet with the locals and learn about their traditions and ways of life.

In terms of purpose of visit, holidaymakers are most common. Other segments studied include business (MICE), visits to friends and relatives (VFR) as well as "others" - education and medical treatment for example.

Emiratis generally travel to Gulf countries nearby, like KSA and Qatar. In the Asia-Pacific, Emiratis like to travel to Australia, India, Malaysia, and Thailand. According to a UAE government survey held in 2015, there were 3.5 million trips from UAE, 40% of which ended up in KSA.

APME countries covered in the report include Australia, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Turkey.

Details:

Buy the report (June 2019)

Global halal food market to reach US$739.59 billion by 2025

Source: Grand View Research. Global halal food and beverage market revenue by product, 2016. 

The global halal food market is forecast to reach US$739.59 billion by 2025, says Grand View Research. The boost is from a growing Muslim population and substantially increased expenditure on food and beverage. 

According to the consultancy, the concept of "halal" has transformed into universal conception that covers the entire concept of fresh, clean, and healthier production as well as services of food. "This is completely contradictory to the traditional notion, which was restricted to only slaughtering of animals according to Islamic law or merely free from swine and alcohol," the company notes. "It is no more a mere religious obligation but has moved beyond that to become a standard of choice for both Muslims and non-Muslims*."

Demand is driven by a "large, diverse, and educated" consumer base of approximately 1.7 million predominantly young Muslims globally, which is growing at nearly double the rate of the world population, Grand View said. The total Islamic population is expected to increase from 23% today to around 30% of the total world population by 2030. 

The Asia Pacific and the Middle East and African regions are the top two regions contributing to the growth of the global market. The Middle East and Africa is home to over 327 million Muslims, Grand View said, while the overall average fertility proportion of Muslims in the Asia Pacific was three offspring per woman in 2012 to 2017 period - higher when compared to the region’s total average fertility rate of two children.

Source: Grand View Research. Indonesia halal food and beverage market by product, 2014 to 2025.

A major bilateral initiative to highlight is a collaboration between Abu Dhabi, UAE and South Korea, which has allowed South Korea to gain further access to the global halal food market. Korea agreed to adopt UAE halal certification standards in 2015. The UAE's halal national mark was introduced in 2014.

According to the State of the Global Islamic Economy, the Muslim consumer spending across halal food and lifestyle in 2014 was reported to be worth US$1.8 trillion and anticipated to increase to US$2.6 trillion by 2020. 

Meat and alternatives were the largest product segment in 2016 with a net market worth of over US$590 billion globally. According to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), meat products is the preferred diet of Muslims. "The Islamic population in addition to the religious value is fascinated by several central doctrines such as to protect the forthcoming generation, to preserve life, to maintain integrity and self-respect. Moreover, respect for the welfare of animals, health consciousness and a degree of acculturation are also some of the vital influencers in the growth of the halal meat and meat products market," Grand View said.

On the flip side, the international halal standardisation industry is confusing, Grand View added. Certification bodies include government-owned and linked enterprises, independent halal certification bodies (HCBs), private organisations, national standards agencies, regional bodies such as the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), European Commission and international establishments including the OIC and the Standards and Metrology Institute for the Islamic Countries (SMIIC).

"The primary concern for the manufacturers is to determine the specific standard that is likely to offer them the best possible access to a target market. Also, these companies have to constantly update various certifications to optimise the trade process at several instances where these become mandatory for exports. Nevertheless, leading organisations for halal standardisation and accreditation have been taking steps to harmonise the standards," Grand View said.

Food safety and traceability has also become a major concern, Grand View said. "It is highly expected that every stakeholder must be fully accountable and responsible for procuring, handling, manufacturing, and quality control of halal foods," the company stated. 

Key findings from the report include:

• The global halal foods industry was valued at US$436.8 billion in 2016 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% over the next eight years

• Milk and milk products such as processed milk, cheese, and yogurt are expected to be one of the primary product segments driving growth for the global industry

• Beverages such as carbonated drinks, packaged juice, and sweeteners with halal certification are expected to witness substantial demand over the forecast period. The segment is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 4.9% in Turkey.

• Asia Pacific was the leading consumer region in 2016. Around 63% of the global Muslim population resides here. Indonesia and Malaysia together accounted for over 55% of the regional demand in 2016.

• Major companies actively operating in the global halal food industry include Nestlé, Glanbia Cheese and Kellogg's**

• Companies have been trying to strengthen consumer trust with several marketing campaigns trying to be transparent about their production process of packaged halal foods

Explore:

Buy the Halal Food and Beverage Market Size Report By Product (Meat & Alternatives, Milk & Milk Products, Fruits & Vegetables, Grain Products), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025 report from ReportBuyer (published February 2018)

Read Nestle's halal certification FAQ

*This view is often mentioned in forecasts about the halal market. This author has never encountered such views among non-Muslims. There is indeed a shift towards clean and healthy eating and a corresponding focus on the food chain. However, non-Muslims are looking for foods which satisfy the criteria for clean and healthy eating and it does not matter to them if the foods are halal or not. They are not seeking out halal foods to satisfy their preference for clean and healthy eating. Nor do they feel that the halal label means that the food is cleaner or healthier.

 **Glanbia announced halal certification in 2012. Kellogg's has dropped halal certification as of 2017. 

Global halal cosmetics market to be worth over US$50 billion by 2025

The global halal cosmetics market is expected to reach US$52.02 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research. Awareness levels of Muslim populace regarding the ingredients used in cosmetic and personal care formulations will determine the industry's future growth trajectory, the research firm said.

The buying clout of the Islamic population has pushed the mainstream beauty industry to concentrate on product offerings that are halal-certified. Consumers are willing to pay a premium for these goods in keeping with their ethical beliefs, Grand View Research says.

Countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia offer tremendous opportunities as a result of Islam being the predominant religion and socioeconomic growth. In fact, Malaysia and Indonesia together accounted for nearly 60% of Asia Pacific revenue in 2015, with skincare and makeup being the dominant products consumed. Malaysia is also home to brands such as SimplySiti and IVY Beauty. 

Key findings:

- Asia Pacific, accounting for nearly 45% of the global Muslim population, was the dominant region and accounted for nearly three-quarters of the overall revenue in 2015.

- Countries such as India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Maldives are characterised by considerable Muslim population and improving socioeconomic conditions.

- The Middle East is also an important consumer hub for the industry, particularly considering high income levels in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and

- The haircare segment is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 12.3% in terms of revenue over the forecast period.

In view these evolving consumer requirements, manufacturers are trying to comply with Islamic code of law by incorporating more ingredients that are in compliance with shari'ah law.

Major companies in the beauty space include Clara International, INIKA, Talent Cosmetic, MMA Bio Lab, The Halal Cosmetics Company, Saaf Skincare, Prolab Cosmetics, Martha Tilaar Group, and IBA Halal Care.

Interested?

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IDB goals towards 2025 shared

The President of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group, Dr Ahmad Mohamed Ali, has shared that the IDB Group plans to reach 44 million people with improved basic social services, create 1 million jobs, and increase the share of Islamic finance globally. By 2025, organisational and operational effectiveness within the IDB Group should be enhanced further, he said.

Dr Ahmad was speaking at the inauguration of the IDB Group’s Evaluation Symposium, aimed at further promoting the culture of bonding knowledge and practices within the IDB Group to advocate and promote focus on results.

The keynote speaker at the Symposium, Dr Ahmet Tiktik, IDB Vice President for Corporate Services, stated that one of the main challenges to development is the mismatch between investments and services provided to meet the expectations of the citizens who are the main clients. He also underlined the importance of building strong partnerships with the implementing agencies in delivering IDB Group’s 10-year strategic goals.

posted from Bloggeroid