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PMR's Editorial philosophy:
"It is only by standing on the shoulders of
giants that I have been able to see further."
Sir Isaac Newton,
1642–1727
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Provinces & Countries – KZN Update
Major drive to position KwaZulu-Natal as the capital of Halaal
Opportunities for South African companies to access world markets has created a huge demand for Halaal products. The South Africa Halaal Marketing Council is embarking on a campaign aimed at ensuring an understanding of the Global Halaal market amongst South African companies, especially emerging entrepreneurs.
The demand for Halaal is increasing worldwide, from Muslims and people of diverse races and religious beliefs. The total size of the global Halaal consumer market (food and non-food such as financial services, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics) is estimated at US$ 2trn, of which the food sector alone is worth US$ 400bn.
With KwaZulu-Natal having an enormous potential in agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and the services sector, there is a strong belief that
Halaal export is a niche market that should be targeted. Experts in the Halaal industry indicate that with close to 2 billion Muslim consumers, plus the growing cross-over market for Halaal products, the opportunities in this sector are expanding rapidly. The Province has to take special note of developments in the
Halaal industry not for export purposes only but to ensure the overall growth of the Province’s business sectors.
"The challenge at hand is to identify programmes that will encourage new entrants – youth and women; small and medium-scale enterprises to enter the
Halaal export sector. It is important to find ways to ensure that all these different constituents of the sector genuinely feel and see themselves as being supported by this Government," says Dr Zweli Mkhize, MEC for Finance and Economic Development.
"Exports have been growing at an average annual rate of 14% for the period 2000-2004. Sensitivity to issues such as adhering to
Halaal standards will become a defining issue in the context of the Middle East market. We need to pay more attention to our products as we intensify our drive to access international
Halaal markets."
Ndabezinhle Sibiya,
Deputy Manager:
External Communications Office of the MEC for
Finance and Economic Development
Tel: (033) 846-6800 ext 6985 or 6987
Email:
ndabezinhle.sibiya@kzntreasury.gov.za
Web: www.kzntreasury.gov.za
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