ET Desk: Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir has urged a shift in focus towards new, promising sectors to reduce reliance on traditional export products in global trade. In this regard, he called for the establishment of a robust, international-standard Halal ecosystem by leveraging the experience of the ASEAN region.
He made this call while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Halal Ecosystem in the ASEAN Region: Prospects for Bangladesh,” organized by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) on Tuesday, August 12.
Speaking at the seminar, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir stated that the Halal economy can no longer be confined solely to the food and beverage sector. It is now a vast global economic system comprising food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, modest fashion, tourism, logistics, technology, finance, and international certification.
He said, “To boost exports, we must first enhance our own production capacity. This requires domestic and foreign investment, and it is essential to ensure a safe and attractive environment for investors.”
The Commerce Minister further stated that preferential market access for products is a key condition for attracting investment. Initiatives are being undertaken to sign Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs), and Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with various countries to retain export benefits following Bangladesh’s graduation from the LDC category.
He stated that to harness the potential of the international Halal market, it is necessary to establish an independent, reliable, and internationally accepted Halal certification system in the country. This would boost global confidence in Bangladeshi products and help create new markets.
Speakers at the seminar noted that while Bangladesh’s export sector has long relied on the ready-made garment industry, diversification—in terms of both products and markets—is essential to survive in future global trade. The Halal economy could be a major area of such new potential.
Experts state that the demand for Halal products is rising rapidly across the globe. The importance of Halal standards is growing not only in the food sector but also in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fashion, tourism, and lifestyle products. Entering this market requires an integrated system for production, quality control, and certification.
Discussions highlighted that Malaysia’s Halal ecosystem could serve as a significant model for Bangladesh among ASEAN nations. The country has not viewed Halal merely as a product; instead, it has transformed it into a comprehensive economic system encompassing everything from production to research, certification, marketing, and export.
Five strategic priorities were highlighted at the seminar to make Bangladesh’s Halal sector ready for international competition—
1. Establishing an internationally accepted national Halal assurance framework. 2. Developing specialized Halal industrial clusters equipped with modern laboratories and advanced logistics facilities. 3. Aligning existing production sectors with international standards and competitiveness. 4. Engaging Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), researchers, and young entrepreneurs. 5. Establishing the “Bangladesh Halal Brand” in the global market through economic diplomacy.
Major General ASM Redwanur Rahman, Director General of BIISS, delivered the welcome address at the seminar. Dr. Mahfuz Kabir, Research Director of BIISS, presented the keynote paper.
Akhtar Hossain, Deputy Director of the Halal Certification (Livestock) Division at the Islamic Foundation, and S.M. Abu Sayeed, Deputy Director (Halal Certification) at the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), participated in the panel discussion.
