• Sector has the capacity to help drive economic recovery, according to experts at the first Global Business Forum ASEAN
• Held on the side-lines of Expo 2020 Dubai, the inaugural forum is exploring how to improve trade between Dubai and the Association of South East Asian Nations

Dubai, UAE – The halal industry is a high-potential avenue where companies in the UAE, GCC and Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) can boost trade and build cross border partnerships, industry experts speaking at the inaugural Global Business Forum ASEAN said today.

The forum, organised by Dubai Chamber in partnership with Expo 2020 Dubai,  explores trade and investment opportunities between the two regions.

Taking part in a discussion titled ‘The Islamic Consumer: A Post-Pandemic Comeback?’ were Dato Dr Mohmed Razip Hasan, Director-General, Islamic Tourism Centre, Malaysia; Saleh Lootah, Managing Director, Al Islami Foods, UAE; and Riyanto Sofyan, Chairman, Team for Accelerated Development of Halal Tourism, Indonesia.

Despite the slump in the market from the impact of the pandemic, the three experts cited their optimism for the halal sector, which globally is worth an estimated USD 4 trillion. Increasing growth is forecast for the industry, with new strategies and policies identified as key drivers.

Lootah, expressed his belief that consumer spending is slowly returning in Dubai, and noted that the halal industry will reach pre-Covid levels by the end of 2022.

Hasan agreed with this positive outlook, saying that with borders opening up and economies recovering, the halal travel industry is picking up momentum. He explained that while Muslim travellers are growing, and remain influential, it is necessary for governments and businesses to build strategies and goals that can meet these demands and to expand the sector to make it attractive to non-Muslim consumers.

Hasan also noted that there are five key strategies which Malaysia plans to execute to drive this demand: positioning Islamic consumers as discerning, niche and lucrative; enhancing leadership in Muslim travel businesses and destination management; enhancing knowledge and understanding of service providers towards Muslim travel needs and requirements; increasing investment in Islamic Tourism and hospitality infrastructures and business content; and increasing collaborations between stakeholders.

Commenting on the resilience of the halal sector, Sofyan said that although halal tourism – along with the tourism sector in general - was one of the hardest hit during the pandemic, it is proving to be one of the fastest to rebound, pointing to his association recording significant growth in the wake of the pandemic. 

”In the third quarter of this year, we reached a growth of 3.5% year-on-year, so we are quite optimistic. This is the time and opportunity for halal market to go mainstream by using an inclusive approach. The government is supporting us as well, and have formed a new entity to develop the Islamic economy and the halal industry. This will help our ambition in being a leader in the halal industry by capitalising and using our large Islamic consumer market.”

He added that the key goal in the halal industry must be to brand halal products and services in way that they can go mainstream to attract non-Muslims as well through its unique propositions.

Held under the theme The New Frontiers, the first-ever GBF ASEAN is organised under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The forum is part of Dubai Chamber’s flagship series, which also explores economic potential in emerging markets across Africa and Latin America.

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For Editors:

Dubai Chamber mission is to represent, support and protect the interests of the business community in Dubai by creating a favourable business environment, supporting the development of business and promoting Dubai as an international business hub. Since its establishment, the Chamber has contributed to strengthening Dubai's position as a global destination in the world of finance, business and investment. The Chamber provides a wide range of services that enhance business competitiveness and support sector companies through facilitating the conduct of their business, including issuing certificates of origin, providing data and economic research, providing mediation and commercial arbitration services, receiving foreign trade delegations and sending commercial missions abroad. As well as organising forums, seminars, business meetings and training courses for representatives of the business community, serving business groups and councils, providing credit rating services, and a large number of specialised smart services that meet the needs of members and enhance the investment environment in Dubai.

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About Expo 2020 Dubai:

From October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, Expo 2020 Dubai welcomes visitors from all over the world, helping to create a new world, while bringing the entire planet together to reshape the future. Under the slogan “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, Expo 2020 represents the incubator of the most influential ideas in the world, stimulating the exchange of new visions and inspiring movement towards finding realistic solutions to real world challenges. Expo 2020 Dubai will be the largest cultural gathering in the world, as it will provide amazing and inspiring experiences over a 182 days, and more than 200 entities will contribute to these experiences, including countries, multilateral organisations, companies, and educational institutions, as well as millions of people.  Expo 2020’s subthemes, Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability, will inspire visitors to conserve and protect our planet, explore new horizons, and create a better future for all. Over a period of six months, Expo 2020 will be an ideal destination for families, filled with thousands of activities and wonderful exploration experiences, and will provide free admission for children under the age of 18. Expo 2020 is committed to build a more equal, just and equitable world for all, while maintaining the safety of visitors, by following the latest guidelines issued by world-leading experts in the fields of medicine, science and health. Expo 2020 Dubai is the first International Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, and its location extends over an area of ​​4.38 square kilometres in “Dubai South” near Al Maktoum International Airport. The Expo site represents a practical application of innovation and was built with a vision to being a meaningful and remarkable long-term legacy. After the conclusion of the Expo 2020, it will turn into District 2020, which constitutes a model for a global community that reshapes the features of the cities of the future.

For more information, please contact:

Ruba Abdel Halim

Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry
PR &Corporate Communications Department

Tel: +971 4 2028450

Email: ruba.halim@dubaichamber.com