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Experts at a city seminar have said Bangladesh can turn the halal economy into a new pillar of export growth by prioritizing quality, transparency and international credibility, helping the country emerge as a major hub in the global halal market.
The experts referred to Malaysia’s halal ecosystem as a model for Bangladesh, noting that the Southeast Asian country has developed halal as a comprehensive economic framework spanning research, production, certification and marketing.
They said Bangladesh’s large domestic market and strong production capacity in agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, leather and readymade garments provide a solid foundation for becoming a significant player in the global halal supply chain.
The seminar identified five strategic priorities for building an internationally competitive halal sector: establishing an internationally accepted national halal assurance framework; developing specialized halal industrial clusters equipped with modern laboratories and advanced logistics; bringing existing production sectors in line with international standards; engaging SMEs, researchers and young entrepreneurs; and promoting the “Bangladesh Halal Brand” globally through economic diplomacy.
Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir called for the development of a robust and internationally recognized halal ecosystem in Bangladesh, urging the country to draw on ASEAN’s experience to establish itself as a global halal hub.
“Bangladesh needs to diversify its export basket by tapping high-potential sectors such as the halal economy,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Halal Ecosystem in the ASEAN Region and Opportunities for Bangladesh”, organized by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) at its auditorium in the city, according to a press release.
Muktadir said the global halal market has expanded well beyond food and beverages to include pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, modest fashion, tourism, logistics, technology and finance.
“To increase exports, we must first enhance our domestic production capacity,” he said, stressing the need to create a safe and attractive investment environment to encourage both local and foreign investment.
The minister said Bangladesh, ahead of its LDC graduation, is pursuing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) and Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with various countries to retain preferential access to international markets.
He also stressed the importance of establishing an independent, reliable and internationally accepted halal certification system to build global confidence in Bangladeshi products.
BIISS Director General Major General ASM Redwanur Rahman delivered the welcome address, while BIISS Research Director Dr Mahfuz Kabir presented the keynote paper.
Representatives from the Islamic Foundation and the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) also spoke.