Halal Food Culture Can Benefit Global Civilisation: Swapon

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon today spoke at a seminar titled ‘Think Halal, Grow Global’.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has said halal food culture and values can become a significant asset not only for the Muslim world but also for humanity as a whole.

He said developing halal products and promoting halal culture is not merely a religious or cultural issue, but is also closely linked to the global economy and human welfare.

“There is a huge global market for halal food, and both consumers and investors are ready to explore the potential of this sector,” he said.

The minister made the remarks while addressing a seminar titled “Think Halal, Grow Global”, organised by the Malaysian High Commission in Dhaka at a city hotel.

Referring to the shared religious and social values of Bangladesh and Malaysia, Swapon said the two countries could jointly contribute to developing the halal industry and expanding its presence in global markets by drawing on their common values, culture and experience.

He called on entrepreneurs, investors, traders and relevant institutions to work in a coordinated manner to tap the growing global demand for halal products.

“The proper ideas, information, knowledge and specific business structures must be created for investors,” he said, adding that combining knowledge and business expertise could help expand the market and increase consumer acceptance of halal products.

Recalling Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to Malaysia, Swapon thanked the Malaysian government and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for the warm reception extended to the Bangladeshi leader.

He said Bangladesh-Malaysia relations are based not only on diplomatic ties but also on shared values and mutual cooperation.

The minister said the halal industry could become an important new area of economic and diplomatic cooperation between Bangladesh and Malaysia.

Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Mohd Shuhada Othman and Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Anwar Shahid also spoke at the seminar.

Business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs and representatives of relevant sectors from Bangladesh and Malaysia attended the event.