Export products on display at the forum

Amid global economy fluctuations, diversifying export markets, opening new markets with plenty of room, are golden keys to boost exports and actively contribute to the country's economic development.

According to ITPC, the global Halal market bears a lot of potential in terms of size and population growth, expanding levels and diversity of sectors as well as the growing growth prospects in the future.

Currently, of more than 2 billion Muslims in 112 countries, 57 countries are members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), accounting for 25% of the world's population. In particular, Muslims make up the majority in Asia (62%), especially in the ASEAN region, with Indonesia alone having a large proportion of the Muslim population.

According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), expenditure on Halal food within the global Muslim community is on a steady rise, with the projection of reaching 1.9 trillion USD by 2024 and 15 trillion USD by 2050, expected to reach 1,900 billion USD in 2024 and 15,000 billion USD in 2050. Not only that, the development of the Halal industry will promote the development of accompanying fields and services.

At the same time, this is also an opportunity for Vietnam to attract Muslim investors and tourists to invest and travel in Vietnam, contributing to the country's development and strengthening cooperation with the 57 countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

According to Ho Chi Minh City leaders, international cooperation in developing Vietnam's Halal industry has always recorded many positive achievements thanks to close attention from the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister issued Decision No. 10/QD-TTg dated February 14, 2023 approving the Project "Strengthening international cooperation to build and develop Vietnam's Halal industry until 2030"; Promote the development of national standards - TCVN in the field of Halal and develop a project to establish a National Halal Certification Center.

At the same time, Vietnam is also actively working with Halal certification organizations of other countries to sign mutual recognition of technical standards.

To fully exploit the advantages of the largest city in the country, Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee is implementing activities to orient the development of the Halal industry associated with green production - consumption and sustainable export.

Forum for cooperation and development of the Halal industry in ASEAN" aims to open up more opportunity to participate deeply in the international supply chain of Halal goods, promoting export activities into the Muslim market.

At the forum, businesses are able to access to information, orientation and regional links in general to develop the Halal product supply chain. Especially, small and medium-sized enterprises benefit more chances to exchange, interact and share in the process of building and developing products according to Halal quality standards, as well as exploiting the potential for cooperation and development of the food production sector and boosting export markets especially Muslim countries

At the same time, Ho Chi Minh City focuses on policies to develop the Halal industry, especially the food sector and supporting industries, logistics such as logistics, warehousing... Currently, Ho Chi Minh City has put into operation many product/service or system, which complies with Halal certificate operations to serve the Muslim community. As a result, the number of businesses meeting Halal export standards is increasing in both quality and quantity.

Typically, Saigon Trading Corporation (Satra) launched Satrafoods Halal convenience food store in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City since 2019. This is the first store in Ho Chi Minh City serving over 300 types of Halal product standards such as fruits, processed foods, fast foods, consumer goods, fashion and souvenirs... Satra is also planning to open two more convenience stores for Muslim in Ho Chi Minh City.