CEM REPORT, TRADE | Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has announced plans to develop an operational framework for the take-off of the Halal industry in the country.
This is as the agency said it has already established a training centre in Kano where all training on Halal certifications had already taken effect to have Nigerian businesses and industries partake in the sector.
The announcement was made during the validation meeting for the final draft report on the Roadmap and Operational Framework for the Development of the Halal Industry in Nigeria held in Abuja.
Speaking at the event Director General/Chief Executive, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mallam Farouk Salim, reiterated that the agency remains committed to continually driving the initiatives that promote the development of Halal products standards in line with internationally accepted benchmarks for both domestic and foreign consumers.
He stated that SON has constituted a team to interface with relevant agencies and stakeholders to develop an operational framework for the kick-off of the Halal industry in the country.
He further revealed the steps taken by SON to ensure that globally accepted standards are developed or adopted for the Nigerian Halal Industry as well as ensure that products and services meet the right specifications as well as deliver on consumers’ expectations, which will allow for access and acceptance in the international markets.
Represented by the Head, Halal Desk, SON, Amina Haliru, he emphasised the crucial role of standardisation towards achieving the set objectives in the industry.
She further explained that the roadmap and milestones outlined by the committee to get a functioning Halal industry in Nigeria will open Nigeria to the world with the ripple effect of boosting the Nigerian economy, in view of the fact that the Halal Global Market is valued at trillions of dollars.
Also speaking at the event Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Maryam Katagum, hailed the committee on the strides achieved thus far, noting that the commencement of the industry would be a useful tool in the ministry’s mandate of facilitating trade and growing the Nigerian industrial sector.
[READ ALSO] IMF Recommends Concessionary Funding for African Countries
The participants at the event included representatives from the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment (FMITI); Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC); Nigeria National Accreditation System (NINAS); National Board for Technical Education (NBTE); Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN); other SON officials among others.
Halal Industry, essentially, is a global chain comprising Halal food, Halal cosmetics, Halal pharmaceuticals, Muslim-friendly tourism, Halal logistics and supply chain, Modest fashion, Halal media and recreation, and other markets targeting to fulfil the needs of Muslim consumers globally.
The industry is expected to further boost commodities and services markets in the country.
