Emphasizing the profound human significance of promoting the development of Vietnam’s Halal industry, especially in the context of complicated wars and conflicts in many places, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that Vietnam considers Halal a ‘golden opportunity’, a new orientation in production activities, an ‘important economic cooperation content, a new pillar, a new driving force’ in developing relations with other countries.
Prime Minister and delegates attending the Conference – Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
On the afternoon of October 22, in Hanoi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended and spoke at the Conference “Promoting internal resources, strengthening international cooperation to promote the development of Vietnam’s Halal industry”.
The Halal industry includes products that are “allowed” and “legal” for use according to Islamic Law, with strict requirements on ingredients, processing, and transportation.
The conference was jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Science and Technology. This is the largest international event on Halal, held for the first time since the Prime Minister issued the Project “Strengthening international cooperation to build and develop Vietnam’s Halal industry by 2030” (February 2023), which has an important orientation for the development of Vietnam’s Halal industry.
Also attending were Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat, leaders of ministries, branches, and localities.
More than 600 domestic and foreign delegates attended the conference in person and online, including representatives from 50 countries, regional and international organizations, most of whom were heads of international, regional and national Halal management agencies, along with prestigious international businesses in the Halal field, ambassadors and representatives of embassies of important Muslim countries/Halal markets, and international organizations in Hanoi.
The conference included 6 official activities and more than 20 bilateral activities on the sidelines. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates were introduced to the Vietnam National Halal Certification Center (HALCERT), the Vietnam Halal Standards; witnessed the ceremony of handing over 5 cooperation documents between GCC Certification Center, Korean Halal Authority, European Halal Certification Center, Halal Academy of GAE Company Limited (Malaysia) and Quang Ninh Tourism Association with Vietnamese state management agencies on standards and Halal.
Prime Minister: Within the framework of international economic cooperation, it can be affirmed that the Halal market is opening up many great cooperation opportunities for all of us with great potential – Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Vietnam is emerging as a center of the Halal industry
At the Conference, delegates focused on discussing the contents to promote internal strength and promote international cooperation to build and develop the Halal industry in Vietnam: Sharing experiences in developing the Halal industry of countries and regional and international organizations; opportunities and proposals for cooperation with Vietnam to develop the Halal industry, opening the market for Vietnamese Halal products; potential and orientation for the development of the Halal industry in Vietnam and localities; promoting negotiations, towards signing cooperation agreements/memorandums of understanding on Halal between agencies and localities of Vietnam and a number of potential and important Halal partners.
Dr. Yousif S.AlHarbi, Vice President of the Saudi Arabia Halal Center, Saudi Arabia Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), assessed the establishment of the National Halal Certification Center as an important milestone, showing that Vietnam has positioned itself as a reliable source of Halal food, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese businesses.
In particular, he said that the requirements for Halal products such as purity, ethical standards, and behavior in accordance with nature are also factors that are deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture. These bring great opportunities for Vietnam to integrate Halal standards into Vietnamese products.
“Vietnam is emerging as a very important link in the global Halal supply chain. With its advantages, Vietnam can become a center for the production and distribution of Halal products. Cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Vietnam can create a prosperous Halal ecosystem,” said Dr. Yousif S.AlHarbi.
Dr. Yousif S.AlHarbi, Vice President of the Saudi Arabia Halal Center, Saudi Arabia Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) speaking at the Conference – Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Mohamed Jinna, Chairman of the Halal Certification Authority of India, emphasized that the Halal market is very diverse, including products such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fashion, etc. Vietnam is at a golden time to seize opportunities and participating in this market is a strategic step for Vietnam, bringing Vietnam to deep integration with Halal economies. He believes that Vietnam has the potential to become an important factor in the Halal market, a center of the Halal economy globally.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Halal Certification Center of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Eng.Moteb Al-Mezani assessed that the Halal market is one of the largest markets in the world. This center has had many cooperation, consulting and experience sharing activities with Vietnamese partners.
Profound humanistic significance in the context of war and conflict
Speaking at the Conference, on behalf of the Government of Vietnam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh respectfully thanked, welcomed and warmly welcomed the delegates to the first International Halal Conference held in Hanoi – the City for Peace, a thousand years of civilization, the Capital of conscience and human dignity.
The Prime Minister highly appreciated the initiative and efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to organize this important Conference, thereby contributing to the orientation of the development strategy of Vietnam’s Halal industry, opening up new business and investment opportunities.
The Conference demonstrated the deep concern of the Government of Vietnam and delegates, businessmen about the importance of the global Halal market; is a concrete and vivid demonstration of the enthusiasm and desire to promote the development of the Halal industry in Vietnam and contribute to the world.
In particular, the Prime Minister emphasized the 5 profound humanistic meanings of the Conference in particular and the promotion of the development of the Halal industry in Vietnam. Accordingly, the development of the Halal industry contributes to connecting Vietnamese people with people in other countries around the world, especially the Muslim world, in the context of complicated wars and conflicts in many places.
At the same time, connecting Vietnam and the world through Halal products and services; connecting the Vietnamese economy with the global economy in a diverse, rich, comprehensive and sustainable way; connecting Vietnamese culture with the cultures of countries around the world, especially Muslim countries, especially culinary culture.
Along with that, promoting the development of the Halal industry in Vietnam to be stronger, more comprehensive, more professional, more inclusive to participate in the global value chain, contributing to caring for and protecting people’s health with the spirit of “eating well, eating clean”.
Chairman of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Halal Certification Center Eng.Moteb Al-Mezani speaks at the Conference – Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
3 important advantages for Vietnam to become an indispensable destination
According to the Prime Minister, we are living in a context where the world situation is changing rapidly, complicatedly, and unpredictably; difficulties and challenges are more numerous and greater than opportunities and advantages. Specifically, geopolitical competition is increasing, the risk of local conflicts is increasing; fierce trade competition, the risk of supply chain disruption; the impact of global issues such as: Climate change, natural disasters, epidemics, resource depletion, population aging, etc.
More than ever, international economic cooperation requires innovative thinking, flexible, creative, global, all-people, comprehensive approaches, promoting multilateralism, international solidarity, building a peaceful, cooperative, and developing environment, the Prime Minister emphasized.
The Prime Minister stated that, within the framework of international economic cooperation, it can be affirmed that the Halal market is opening up many great cooperation opportunities for all of us with great potential.
The global Halal market is forecast to be worth up to 10 trillion USD by 2030, spreading across the world, from Muslim to non-Muslim countries, in which the Muslim population is forecast to reach nearly 3 billion people by 2050, accounting for nearly 30% of the global population.
The Halal industry includes many diverse fields from agriculture, tourism, textiles, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, to supporting industries, production lines, warehousing, transportation, services, etc.
The Prime Minister said that, fully aware of the importance of the global Halal market and the potential and advantages of Vietnam, in recent times, Vietnam has made efforts and focused on developing the Halal industry and has initially achieved positive results.
Delegates attending the Conference – Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Vietnam has developed a strategic orientation for the development of the Halal industry until 2030, including the Project on “Strengthening international cooperation to build and develop Vietnam’s Halal industry until 2030”; establishing a National Halal Certification Center, perfecting legal regulations and national Halal standards.
Vietnam has signed a number of Halal cooperation agreements with Muslim and non-Muslim partners. Agencies from central to local levels, enterprises and associations are increasingly interested in investing, producing and expanding exports to the global Halal market.
Analyzing the potential and advantages of Vietnam in developing the Halal market, the Prime Minister said that in the new development stage, Vietnam has determined: “Improving the level and quality of international integration to expand the market…; improving the competitiveness of the economy, enterprises and products; promoting the development of domestic industries, establishing a higher position in the global value chain…”.
“In that spirit, we wish to develop the Vietnamese Halal industry to truly become a strong industry, making Vietnam an indispensable destination on the global Halal map, an important link in the supply chain of Halal products and services in the world”, said the Prime Minister.
To achieve that goal, Vietnam has 3 important advantages to be able to “catch up, progress together and surpass” in the Halal industry.
Firstly, Vietnam has a stable political and social environment; has the potential and scale of an increasingly strong economy; The investment environment is increasingly open and favorable. Vietnam is striving to build and perfect open institutions, smooth infrastructure, and smart governance.
Stable macroeconomy; controlled inflation; major balances of the economy are ensured; growth is maintained at a high level. Economic growth in 2023 will reach 5.05%; in the first 9 months of 2024, it will reach 6.82%.
The size of the economy in 2023 will reach 430 billion USD; per capita income will reach 4,300 USD, ranking 34th among major economies and among the 20 countries with the largest trade scale globally; in the golden population stage with more than 100 million people; has signed 16 FTAs with more than 60 countries.
This is the largest international event on Halal held for the first time since the Prime Minister issued the Project “Strengthening international cooperation to build and develop Vietnam’s Halal industry by 2030” (February 2023), which has important directional significance for the development of Vietnam’s Halal industry – Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Second, Vietnam is steadfast and consistent in implementing its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification, multilateralization, being a good friend, a reliable partner, an active and responsible member of the international community, for the goal of peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world; persisting in the “4 no’s” defense policy.
The Prime Minister said that Vietnam is one of the countries that has suffered the most damage since World War II, continuously affected by war, siege, and embargo. However, Vietnam has “put aside the past, overcome differences, promote similarities, and look to the future” to turn enemies into friends. “Vietnam is a peaceful and peace-loving nation, wishing that no one is left behind, no one dies from war and conflict,” the Prime Minister emphasized.
To date, Vietnam has established diplomatic relations with 194 countries, with 32 countries being strategic partners and comprehensive partners; participates in more than 70 important regional and international organizations and has good cooperative relations with the community of Muslim countries in the world.
Third, Vietnam has many advantages to develop the Halal industry and participate more deeply in the global supply chains of Halal products and services.
Vietnam’s agriculture makes an important contribution to ensuring global food security, in which many basic agricultural products are suitable and fully meet Halal standards (aquatic products, pepper, cashew nuts, coffee, rice, etc.; in 2023, it will be one of the world’s leading agricultural, forestry and fishery exporters with a value of more than 53 billion USD, reaching nearly 47 billion USD in the first 9 months of 2024, striving for about 60 billion USD for the whole year).
Vietnam has many advantages in tourism development, including Halal tourism with a coastline of more than 3,000 km, many important and diverse ecosystems, and many bays and beaches rated as the most beautiful in the world.
3 messages on Halal industry development
The Prime Minister emphasized 3 messages from Vietnam on Halal industry development.
Firstly, Vietnam is very interested in and wishes to make Halal cooperation “an important economic cooperation content, a new pillar, a new driving force” in developing relations with countries, including the Muslim community in the world.
Secondly, Vietnam attaches importance to the development of the Halal industry; identifies this as a new orientation in production activities; considers Halal as a “golden opportunity” for Vietnamese enterprises to improve production capacity, strengthen cooperation with partners to effectively participate in the global Halal market and value chain.
Third, Vietnam advocates developing the Halal industry on the basis of respecting cultural values and people, demonstrating Vietnam’s positive and responsible contribution to building a peaceful, cooperative, diverse, harmonious and mutually developing world, for the happiness and prosperity of every citizen.
The Prime Minister visited several booths displaying Halal products of Vietnamese enterprises – Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Regarding the future cooperation orientation, the Prime Minister suggested that it is necessary to implement “5 steps” to promote internal strength and international cooperation on Halal.
Firstly, promote cooperation in sharing information and experience, support Vietnam in perfecting the legal framework, state management related to Halal, perfecting the national Halal standards; provide technical support, improve capacity, train and supply human resources to meet the needs of developing the large-scale Halal industry and serving the export of Vietnam’s products and services.
Secondly, promote negotiations, signing agreements, memorandums of understanding on cooperation, agreements on recognition and mutual recognition of Halal certification, thereby helping Vietnamese enterprises become an important link in the global Halal food production and supply chain.
Third, promote regional and international partners to invest and do business in Vietnam in Halal-related fields, especially in agriculture, tourism, hotels, resorts, restaurants, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, and supporting industries related to Halal (technology, production lines, logistics, etc.).
Fourth, promote and advertise Vietnam’s Halal products, services and brands and open markets for Vietnam’s Halal export products.
Fifth, promote people-to-people exchanges and cultural exchanges, thereby enhancing the sharing and understanding of people and businesses on both sides about each other’s strengths and potential for cooperation in developing the Halal industry in Vietnam.
“We call on the business community, especially foreign businesses and entrepreneurs, to continue to invest and cooperate in Vietnam in the spirit of “3 together”: “Listening and understanding together”, “sharing vision and action together”, “working together, winning together, enjoying together, developing together; sharing joy, happiness and pride”; ensuring harmonious benefits and shared risks between the State, enterprises and people, thereby mobilizing State resources, social resources, people, enterprises, public-private partnership resources, direct and indirect foreign investment resources…
Vietnam believes that it will develop a professional, comprehensive, modern, sustainable and effective Halal industry, contributing to creating a new impetus for Vietnam’s rapid and sustainable economic development, contributing to the development of the global Halal market, together building a good, harmonious and prosperous future between countries, between people and people, developing the digital economy, green economy, sustainable circular economy worldwide, including the Halal industry”, the Prime Minister said.
Ha Van
