With the largest segment of Indian expatriates living in the Gulf countries, demand in the GCC for halal-certified products from India continues to grow, says Haji Shakeel Qureshi, a global promoter of halal certification and Chairman of the Marya Day Group. The company is known for foods, bodycare, and household cleaning products, with electronics and ethnic wear to come.
Qureshi founded Marya Frozen Agro Foods in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India. He also established Marya Day Agro Foods. He is currently leading a global drive to create awareness on halal trade and its positive impact on society. Halal is still an under-appreciated concept especially in India. He points out that increased awareness about halal quality standards can potentially provide opportunities to entrepreneurs from India looking to export their products to more countries.
"Hundreds of Indian halal-certified items ranging from food products to cosmetics and personal care products are being produced in line with the concept of 'halal', which is accepted globally as a sustainable and ethical way of living," he said.
"In the Gulf countries, the halal mark is mandatory for all import products and is now the new benchmark for quality standards. The recent developments in halal certification opens up an opportunity to tap a global food market of about 2 billion people in the Middle East, Asia Pacific, EU, US and Central Asia. However, the awareness on 'halal' is meagre in many exporting countries (that) this is currently accepted as an international certification of standards and assurance of quality and purity in different parts of the world, especially in the Gulf region."
"Halal standards have become the backbone of international trade and export business, ensuring safety and quality of the products and services. The halal mark also facilitates international trade and improves the environment in which we live in...The Indian government and industry bodies should make the halal mark mandatory on all products so that the export of Indian fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) can easily cover more international markets," Qureshi added.
Qureshi also noted that many equate 'halal' with halal meat, which is actually just one small aspect of the concept. "Halal is about setting a direction for life in accordance with ethics and good practice. The real meaning of this term should be made understood to all consumer segments and people from all walks of life. Leading a moral life and following 'halal' in our day-to-day life will not only help us become a good human being, but uplift the society as a whole," he said,
Qureshi founded Marya Frozen Agro Foods in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India. He also established Marya Day Agro Foods. He is currently leading a global drive to create awareness on halal trade and its positive impact on society. Halal is still an under-appreciated concept especially in India. He points out that increased awareness about halal quality standards can potentially provide opportunities to entrepreneurs from India looking to export their products to more countries.
"Hundreds of Indian halal-certified items ranging from food products to cosmetics and personal care products are being produced in line with the concept of 'halal', which is accepted globally as a sustainable and ethical way of living," he said.
"In the Gulf countries, the halal mark is mandatory for all import products and is now the new benchmark for quality standards. The recent developments in halal certification opens up an opportunity to tap a global food market of about 2 billion people in the Middle East, Asia Pacific, EU, US and Central Asia. However, the awareness on 'halal' is meagre in many exporting countries (that) this is currently accepted as an international certification of standards and assurance of quality and purity in different parts of the world, especially in the Gulf region."
"Halal standards have become the backbone of international trade and export business, ensuring safety and quality of the products and services. The halal mark also facilitates international trade and improves the environment in which we live in...The Indian government and industry bodies should make the halal mark mandatory on all products so that the export of Indian fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) can easily cover more international markets," Qureshi added.
Qureshi also noted that many equate 'halal' with halal meat, which is actually just one small aspect of the concept. "Halal is about setting a direction for life in accordance with ethics and good practice. The real meaning of this term should be made understood to all consumer segments and people from all walks of life. Leading a moral life and following 'halal' in our day-to-day life will not only help us become a good human being, but uplift the society as a whole," he said,
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