FBCCI President Sheikh F Fahim on Saturday sought cooperation from the global rated Halal Certification Authority in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to set up a Global Halal Certification Centre.
The issue was discussed in a meeting at the Federation Bhaban, Matijheel while the Ambassador of UAE to Bangladesh Saed Mohammed Almheiri called on FBCCI office bearers with FBCCI President, Sheikh F. Fahim in the chair.
Exchanging views with the Ambassador, FBCCI President emphasized the importance of knowledge and technology transfer for halal certification, particularly the development of training modules, soft skills and physical infrastructure necessary for a globally rated halal unified certification system at the FBCCI to tap into the business potential in the international halal market.
He further highlighted FBCCI’s position, as the umbrella trade organization to disseminate the technical knowhow on halal processing to the 500+ member bodies and 30 million entrepreneurs in Bangladesh that will facilitate Halal exports from Bangladesh to GCC and other Muslim majority countries.
Addressing the meeting, UAE Ambassador Saed Mohammed Almheiri expressed his keen interest in working with the apex trade body of Bangladesh to set up a comprehensive halal certification centre that would target multiple stages of the halal supply chain that emphasizes attention to processing quality, safety & standards.
He also mentioned about the UAE’s access to the gulf markets and looked towards facilitating the business community in these markets. Samia Abdel Latif, Conformity Director of RACS Quality Certificates Issuing Services based in Dubai shared an in-depth overview of the halal certification process and looked forward to cooperating with the FBCCI in developing training modules engaging Islamic experts, scientists and auditors in addition to knowledge transfer on the three step verification procedure that is mandated by the globally rated halal agencies.
She also invited FBCCI to join the International Halal Accreditation Forum (IHAF). Other issues discussed included exchange of delegations and inclusion of the private sector at the UAE Bangladesh Joint Economic Council.
Sources concerned said in the last fiscal year, total volume of trade between the two countries was US$ 1.57bn, with Bangladesh’s exports to UAE at US$ 0.34bn and imports from the UAE at US$ 1.23bn. FBCCI Senior Vice President Md. Muntakim Ashraf, Vice Presidents Md. SiddiqurRahman, Mir NizamUddin Ahmed and Directors NizamUddin& SujibRanjan Dash, Former Director Khairul Huda Chapal and other industrial leaders were also present at the meeting.