📋 Tender Overview
Emphasizing the profound human significance of promoting the development of Vietnam's Halal industry, especially in the context of complicated wars and conflicts in many places, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that Vietnam considers Halal a "golden opportunity", a new orientation in production activities, an "important economic cooperation content, a new pillar, a new driving force" in developing relations with other countries.
On the afternoon of October 22, in Hanoi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended and spoke at the Conference "Promoting internal strength, enhancing international cooperation to boost the development of Vietnam's Halal industry".
The Halal industry includes products that are "permitted" and "legal" for use according to Islamic Law, with strict requirements on ingredients, processing, and transportation.
The conference was jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Science and Technology. This is the largest international event on Halal, held for the first time since the Prime Minister issued the Project "Strengthening international cooperation to build and develop Vietnam's Halal industry by 2030" (February 2023), which has important directional significance for the development of Vietnam's Halal industry.
Also attending were Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat, leaders of ministries, branches and localities.
More than 600 domestic and foreign delegates attended the conference in person and online, including representatives from 50 countries, regional and international organizations, most of whom were heads of international, regional and national Halal management agencies, along with prestigious international businesses in the Halal field, ambassadors and representatives of embassies of important Muslim countries/Halal markets, and international organizations in Hanoi.
The conference included 6 official activities and more than 20 bilateral activities on the sidelines. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates were introduced to the Vietnam National Halal Certification Center (HALCERT), Vietnam Halal Standards; witnessed the handover ceremony of 5 cooperation documents between the GCC Certification Center, Korean Halal Authority, European Halal Certification Center, Halal Academy of GAE Company Limited (Malaysia) and Quang Ninh Tourism Association with Vietnamese state management agencies on standards and Halal.
Vietnam is emerging as a hub of the Halal industry.
At the Conference, delegates focused on discussing the contents to promote internal strength and strengthen international cooperation to build and develop Vietnam's Halal industry: Sharing experiences in developing the Halal industry of countries and regional and international organizations; opportunities and proposals for cooperation with Vietnam to develop the Halal industry, opening the market for Vietnamese Halal products; potential and development orientation of the Halal industry of Vietnam and localities; promoting negotiations, towards signing cooperation agreements/memorandums of understanding on Halal between Vietnamese agencies and localities with a number of potential and important Halal partners.
Dr. Yousif S. AlHarbi, Vice President of the Saudi Arabia Halal Center, Saudi Arabia Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), assessed the establishment of the National Halal Certification Center as an important milestone, showing that Vietnam has positioned itself as a reliable source of Halal food, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese businesses.
In particular, he believes that the requirements for Halal products such as purity, ethical standards, and behavior in harmony with nature are also factors that are deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture. These bring great opportunities for Vietnam to integrate Halal standards into Vietnamese products.
"Vietnam is emerging as a very important link in the global Halal supply chain. With its advantages, Vietnam can become a hub for the production and distribution of Halal products. Cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Vietnam can create a prosperous Halal ecosystem," said Dr. Yousif S. AlHarbi.
Mohamed Jinna, Chairman of the Halal Certification Authority of India, emphasized that the Halal market is very diverse, including products such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fashion, etc. Vietnam is at a golden time to seize opportunities and participating in this market is a strategic step for Vietnam, bringing Vietnam to deep integration with Halal economies. He said that Vietnam has the potential to become an important factor in the Halal market, a center of the global Halal economy.
The Chairman of the Halal Certification Center of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Eng.Moteb Al-Mezani, assessed that the Halal market is one of the largest markets in the world. This center has had many cooperation, consulting and experience sharing activities with Vietnamese partners.
Deep humanistic meaning in the context of war and conflict
Speaking at the Conference, on behalf of the Government of Vietnam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh respectfully thanked, welcomed and warmly welcomed the delegates to the first International Halal Conference held in Hanoi - the City of Peace, a thousand years of civilization, the Capital of conscience and human dignity.
The Prime Minister highly appreciated the initiative and efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in organizing this important Conference, thereby contributing to orienting the development strategy of Vietnam's Halal industry, opening up new business and investment opportunities.
