World Halal manufacturers and traders are seeking to expand globally. It is prospected that one of the potential large markets for Halal products and services to conduct e-Business. Pakistan is currently the sixth most populous country in the world with 95% Muslim population that making it the second largest Muslim majority country.

Due to its dense inhabitance, there is a large consumer market as well as significant production of agricultural products, accelerated growth in service sector and contribution of key industries like apparel and textiles (accounting for nearly 60% of exports), food processing, chemicals manufacture, and the iron and steel industries.

Despite of such a huge consumer market, Pakistan did not have any official Halal Certification Body until just recently, the HIRC (Halal Industry Research Centre). It is Pakistan’s first Halal certification and assurance service provider. This is an imperative measure taken by the Government of Pakistan to raise the Halal Standards of the country to benefit from the rapidly growing of Global Halal market.

According to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Malaysia can help Pakistan to get a big share in the international market with its raw material as they believe Malaysia has the expertise in Halal food technology and JAKIM Halal certification.

In December 2009, the initiation of the Pakistan Halal Products Development Board (PHPDB) was also announced by the Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Azam Khan Swati which targeted to help Pakistani producers capture the international Halal market where Pakistan’s share is negligible. Also according to him, it was high time that the Pakistan economy was boosted by recognizing its own strength as well as using the power of Halal that had created a brand new global Halal economy in the world today.

The government of Pakistan has taken several measures to boost its Halal industry which shows the interest in its development and looking for more opportunities. When the government of Pakistan is active and taking huge part in the development of its Halal standardization, E-Commerce is believed to be the best platform to integrate all the Halal certified producer and suppliers. As the E-Commerce is unique, accessible and cost effective online portal, it will be a dynamic platform to the development of Halal business for the world Halal industries.

Diplomatic relationship between Pakistan and Malaysia is extremely pleasant since the past decades. The “Halal” is a common mutual subject matter for the two countries. We can prospect that some sort of cooperation between Malaysia-Pakistan, as Pakistan will be a big market that is prime point of the South-Asia Halal market.

Reference:
1. Retrieved 14th Jan 2010, http://www.globalhalalexpo.com/halalmarket.html .
2. PR Log, Nov 20th 2009, http://www.prlog.org/10422184-hirc-joins-national-technical-committee-for-pakistan-halal-standards.html .
3. The Nation, July 29th 2009, http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Business/29-Jul-2009/Pakistan-Malaysia-to-boost-share-in-halal-market .