The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Maryam Katagum, has inaugurated a 14-member technical committee on the development of a roadmap and operational framework for Halal certification in Nigeria.
The minister noted that there is huge potential in the Halal sub-sector, with the global market valued at about $2.6 trillion. She said Nigeria had not been able to take advantage of huge market to boost foreign earnings, increase investment and adopt the concept to contribute to the growth and development of the economy.
According to her, countries including Morocco and Malaysia are already benefiting from the Halal economy, with Morocco exporting to over 23 countries and Malaysia earning about $7 billion in exports. Katagum, at the ceremony, however, pointed out that the Halal concept is currently at its embryonic stage in Nigeria adding that it is largely been uncoordinated, with lack of synergy between relevant institutions, leading to absence of uniformity in instituting Halal standards in the country, thus, unable to tap into the global market.
She said the development informed the decision of the ministry to proactively establish a committee to address the issue, by studying the various models being used by other successful countries and developing a tailor-made Strategic Plan and Operational Framework for Nigeria.
