118 countries for third halal expo

PREPARATIONS are well under way for the Third International Halal Product Expo (IHPE) 2008, which will kick off at the International Convention Centre (ICC) tomorrow.

About 180 companies from 14 countries, comprising 113 local and 67 foreign companies are taking part in the expo as an opportunity to showcase their products.

During the four day expo, visitors can expect to see variety of products of several

categories ranging from halal consumables, halal certified premises, non-food products and services, Islamic investment, Banking and Takaful products & services, government agencies and associations, food packaging and machinery and catering equipment. Visitors can feast their eyes and spend money on products from Brunei, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia and Algeria among others.

Conducted concurrently with the 3rd IHPE 2008, will be the International Halal Market Conference (IHMC 2008) with the theme "The Emergence of the Halal Market Economy", scheduled for August 16 -17 at the ICC.

The two-day conference will showcase renown speakers from all over the world, offering fresh perspective to the global halal market. One of the talks to look forward to is by Hjh Normah Suria Hayati PJDSM Dato Seri Utama Dr Hj Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri, the agriculture director, on "Brunei's role in the global halal market".

The topic will touch on Brunei's endeavour to diversify its economy, the role of halal industry in Brunei's economy and building human capacity in a halal knowledge-based economy.

Another speaker is the chief executive of UK Global Futures and Foresight, David Smith, who will talk on "The future of Islamic tourism & the halal hospitality business", which touches on the rise on Islamic tourism and the halal hospitality business.

There will also be open panel sessions with speakers and selected panelists at the end of each talk. . (RSH1)

The Brunei Times