Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Collective Voice of The Muslim World
Date: 11/12/2012
The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, addressed on 11 December 2012 a message to the Middle East International Exhibition and Conference on Halal Food being held from 10 to 12 December 2012 in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates. The Secretary General expressed his appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, for his personal patronage of the exhibition and conference. Ihsanoglu said that the specialized character of the trade fair is extremely important in that it showcases various halal food products available in our member states. He stressed that intra-OIC trade cannot be promoted unless all information and data are available about our countries’ capabilities, resources and potentials. This trade fair complements the various OIC activities of standardizing and mainstreaming of halal food in the framework of intra-OIC trade. In addition, this event is a suitable opportunity for all stakeholders to chart the right path to develop this vital sector. The Secretary General stated that, after the various OIC expert meetings which culminated in the drafting of the OIC Halal Food Standards, the entry into force in 2010 of the Statute of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) gave great impetus to halal food activities. SMIIC is an effective forum for mobilizing capacities to enhance the volume and quality of trade exchange among OIC member states. This, in turn, will contribute to the poverty alleviation efforts, resource utilization and capacity building. In 2011, the Institute adopted OIC standards and rules for halal food. The Secretary General stressed that the conference will achieve the target of increasing the private sector’s participation in the halal food industry and enhancing intra-OIC trade.
