02

@ Halal | January-February . 2021

| @ Halal says ... |

p04

Marked Opportunities Dinar Standard wields on the Global Islamic Economy Indicator ( GIEI ) to offer comprehensive picture

p05

An all-round halal business GISB Holdings offers a wide range of Syariah-compliant products and services

p06

Indonesia to issue fatwa There are concerns about halal status of Covid-19 vaccine

• Taiwan , Brunei sign MOU to promote halal economy

• Halal certification agency in Korea helps SMEs expand to Indonesia

p07

Huge potential for Vietnam Halal market growing at rapid rate across every continent

• Islamic banking gains prominence in the UAE

Yes , people still got to eat . But the logistics , manufacturing and production of the halal food market were severely put back at least two years . As some would say , 2020 never really existed . Instead , it was a year that we do not want to remember .

But what about 2021 ? Will we witness a shifting trend ? In the way , we eat or dress or travel and even manage our Islamic finances .

Can anyone categorically and with conviction say for sure what the expectations would and should be for 2021 ? If you are out there , please step forward . The world would like to meet you .

The organisers of the Tokyo Olympics seem overly confident that this year , it will happen . Fact is , they need to be . They have invested too much in turning back now . But at what costs ? p10-11

COVER STORY Ensuring halal integrity Time to ramp up halal certification process ’ s digitalisation by assimilating blockchain technology

p12-13

Won ’ t be a walk in the park Travel sector may recover sooner than any other post-pandemic

p14

First of its kind Zurich Takaful Malaysia offers dynamic product called Takaful Proinvest

p16-17

Why choose halal cosmetics products ? Halal importance has opened the floodgates for established international companies

p18

The Good , the Bad and the Divine Solidarity for halalan toyyiban diet p08

Duopharma best-positioned The pharmaceutical company can lead in providing information on halal pharmaceuticals

The vaccines are just beginning to roll out .

The halal market awaits , though . The expected halal trade for the Tokyo Olympics was US $ 3.7 billion . But the smaller crowds will significantly shave the targeted revenue from the sale of halal food and products to Japan .

The damage to Malaysia ’ s expectations could be up to US $ 200 million .

Market forces will craft the trend obviously . The world awaits , on bended knees and bowl in hand .

Malaysia , perhaps , can steal a march on the others . p19

Deal for a seal Kedah government looking at collaborating with Halvec Labs