november-december . 2020 | @ Halal

21 different continents .

It is designed to inspire leaders and inventors between countries and industry players . Virtual Field trips and Live Product Demo are also organised for the participants and exhibitors to leading retailers , manufacturing and chamber of commerce in both countries .

This will provide them with the insights of other resources and opportunities and simultaneously share knowledge and exchange ideas .

Speaking on this webinar , the Organising Chairman Aizuddinur Zakaria said : “ Competition everywhere has become more intense now . So , we all need to keep forging ahead , not just remain at par , but to be ahead of the game .

“ As organisers , we are only here to help provide the virtual platform for the halal industry for us to stay globally competitive , at the same time make new friends .”

To facilitate the business matching between prospective exhibitors and buyers , this event will bring more than 100 companies worldwide and over 2,500 buyers .

Nigeria has the 10th largest proven reserves of petroleum in the world and is a member of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OPEC ), making Nigeria the largest economy in Africa . Petroleum products are the primary export , about 90 per cent of Nigeria ’ s exports . The total population of Muslims worldwide is almost two billion .

As for the African market of a 1.216 billion total population , Muslims represents 635.67 million in Africa .

Abuja is the capital of Nigeria , with approximately six million population with GDP of US $ 1,968.56 per capita in the year 2017 .

Nigeria has one of the world ’ s highest economic growth rates averaging at 7.4 per cent according to the World Bank . Nigeria is the seventh-most populous country in the world with 200 million population .

To learn more on the 1st Virtual World Halal Webinar Series & Trade Fair , Malaysia - Nigeria , please follow them on Facebook : World Halal Expo 2020 Instagram : worldhalalexpo and Website : worldhalalexpo . net .

Malakat Extreme Park and Malakat Grocer selling certified halal products which also allow an online order and delivery service .

“ I would like to utilise this World Halal Expo ( Virtual ) platform to express my profound gratitude for providing people like us with an avenue to showcase our potency to influence the halal industry further globally .

“ Above all , I am thankful to everyone who showed so much trust and faith in me , which was the constant energy boost for me .”

He believes the future in the halal industry can become the milestones for Malaysians . This matter is very much close to his heart as he said it was about developing new ideas and concepts and ultimately support the halal ecosystem in the country .

BY CAMILIA REZALI

A second session of the world halal webinar series was held on Oct 20 , 2020 virtually in conjunction with the World Halal Expo .

The platform is designed as an avenue for Muslim medical tourists , medical tourism providers , institutional investors and halal or medical practitioners to share current updates on medical devices , surgical instruments and vaccination product related to halal , presenting the standards

Datuk Sri Dr Chen Chaw Min

of halal as well as the benefits of halal-certified pharmaceutical products .

This event is in collaboration with International Centre for Islamic Culture & Education ( ICICE ), PPIPBM and Malaysian Indian Muslim Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( MIMCOIN ), and hosted by MyEvents International of Nigeria .

To prioritise accessibility to the healthcare system and build trust among Muslims and Non-Muslims , the title ‘ Future of Halal in Healthcare and Pharmaceutical ’ was chosen .

“ This platform will create not only awareness but increase business interaction and engagements in view of the Covid-19 pandemic . It has impacted the healthcare businesses at large ,” read the Senior Director of International Policy , Fabian Bigar , in the keynote address representing the Secretary-General of Malaysian Health Ministry , Datuk Sri Dr Chen Chaw Min .

“ Apart from that , the event will continue to encourage both the government and private sectors to partner and offer incentives to develop proper policy regarding the national Healthcare system .”

One of the issues emphasised during the virtual session was the misconceptions about halal pharmaceuticals . A commonly misunderstood thought is that ‘ halal ’ is only about food and only for the Muslims . Instead , ‘ halal ’ is applied as a standard .

“ Halal is a universal concept used to mark any item as permissible to be used or consumed according to Shariah or the Islamic law , not only for Muslims but also for the whole universal community in general ,” explained the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Commercial Officer of Duopharma Biotech Berhad , Wan Amir-Jeffery Wan Abdul Majid in the webinar session .

Pharmaceutical sector itself is a highly regulated sector – structured with a detailed system from welldefined materials , maintained manufacturing premises , clear processes , dedicated equipment , having trained personnel , quality storage and transport , complete record system , to addressing quality defects and complaints . Therefore , a certified halal pharmaceutical product adds on a quality to the next level .

“ Pharmaceutical products certified halal must first fulfil the requirements of the common GMP standards

before fulfilling additional prerequisites for halal certification , which sets a higher benchmark for quality ,” said Amir-Jeffery .

“ In terms of the halal certification requirements , materials must be clearly defined with evidence complying to Shariah law and national fatwa . Premises and facilities mustadhere to the Shariah

Wan Amir-Jeffery guidelines . For the products , it must not come into close contact with any non-halal products . The processing line on the other hand shall be for halal pharmaceuticals only and equipment not contaminated with najs .

quality , safety and efficacy

Halal certification for a product means its certified Shariah compliant and clean on top of assured quality , safety and efficacy by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Authority ( NPRA ).

Building the awareness knocks on a collaborative effort by the government , pharmaceutical manufacturers , religious scholars and healthcare professionals to promote the benefits of halal pharmaceutical in maintaining good health . It is important for the consumers to understand that ‘ Halal ’ is a standard for all .

“ Everyone shall benefit from halal certified pharmaceutical products because there is an additional Halalan Toyyiban aspect to it . The certification mark will give confidence and assurance for consumers to make an informed choice as it is associated with positive perception ,” said Amir-Jeffery .

Referring to a statement made by the Senior Director of Standardisation Department of Standards Malaysia , Hussalmizzar Hussain during the session , the Malaysian standards relating to halal have been developed to meet the challenges of the growing demand for halal products and services , complementing to the halal ecosystem within Malaysia .

“ The standards were formulated based on the concept of halal built-in and used by existing competent authorities towards halal certification . This ensures continuous compliance to the specific halal requirements ,” said the Senior Director .

“ It is a business decision on any organization whether or not to get halal certification in order to cater to the demands . As for Malaysia , halal implementation is voluntary and governed by the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 , which includes food , cosmetics , logistics , consumer goods and pharmaceuticals .

After the new placement of Malaysian Standards under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry ( MITI ), this helps to further strengthen the role of Malaysia in enhancing efforts to lead the halal sphere in line with the global economic development .