Dubai Industrial City launches 'Halal Cluster'

Dubai Industrial City, a member of Tecom Investments, has announced today the launch of a dedicated ‘Halal Cluster’ in the UAE, aimed at driving the growth of Halal food, cosmetics and personal care sectors.

Abdulla Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Industrial City made this announcement during a press conference held on the side-lines of Gulf Food Exhibition 2014 at the World Trade Centre in Dubai.

Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar, CEO of Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre, Farah Al Zarooni, Director of Standards Department at Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA), and Amina Ahmed Mohammed, Director of Accreditation Department at Dubai Municipality also spoke on the occasion.

Abdullah Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Industrial City, said: "The creation of the Halal Cluster is another step towards Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's wise vision to become the capital of the Islamic economy. It is truly rewarding seeing a project that has been a long-term goal finally come to fruition."

He said: "We have only been able to accomplish this through the support of Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre, Standards Department at Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA) and the Dubai Municipality, whom we would like to thank today. We are excited at what the future holds and in strengthening our partnerships moving forward."

Speaking at the press conference, Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar, CEO of Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre, said, "The Centre intends to work closely with its stakeholders, both in the public and private sectors, to streamline efforts and to align the incentives offered to Halal businesses, resulting in an enabling environment for the Halal industry. Today, Dubai Industrial City has offered a solution that addresses the needs in the industrial Halal sector. By leveraging the dynamic infrastructure of Dubai's other platforms, we will be able to address the other Halal industry sectors, moving closer to realizing the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in shaping Dubai as the global capital of Islamic Economy."

The Halal worldwide market of products for personal consumption is huge. Muslim consumers alone spend over 1 trillion USD for food and over 26 billion on cosmetics and personal care. This is expected to increase by 50% in the coming 5 years to 1.6 trillion and 39 billion, respectively.

Belhoul pointed out that Dubai is once again on a rapid path of expansion across many sectors as a result of the Dubai Expo 2020 win.

He said: "With the wise vision of its leadership, the UAE has shown the world that we have much to offer, and that we are ready to welcome foreign investment and expertise, while sharing our local knowledge and providing a safe and stable environment in which businesses can thrive."

Farah Al Zarooni, Director of ESMA, said, "Standards are fundamental for removing international trade barriers and hence provide vital support to strengthen the national economy. I am glad that ESMA’s strategic plan (UAE Scheme for Halal Products) is already in alignment with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and I am sure that Dubai will soon become the economic capital of Islamic Economy and set one more example of success of translating the dreams into reality."

The press conference concluded with a speech by Amina Ahmed Mohammed, Director of Accreditation Department at Dubai Municipality, who spoke at the conference about the execution aspects related to lab testing, and which will help investors looking to operate from Halal Cluster in Dubai Industrial City.

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