The 2014 essay of the World Halal Conference (WHC) - an annual event - is slated to take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in the Malay capital on April 9 and 10, 2014. It would commence at 9am and conclude at 5pm.
Hosted by the country’s Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), it would be organised by its agency, the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC), and supported by the Malaysia Extrade Trade Development Corporation (Matrade).
The objective of the conference is to lead to the creation of emerging technologies and new frontiers of business opportunities within halal. This is line with the government’s effort to continuously inspire innovation in the halal industry as innovation and research within the halal value chain are critical in creating a sustainable halal industry.
It also aims to enhance Malaysia's thought leadership position as one of the most trusted and innovative centres for new knowledge and knowhow in halal, and to promote the country as a centre of excellence for halal reference and leadership.
It would also focus on deliberating issues and sharing the latest advancements in halal research and innovation and their business application. The meet would feature forums, exhibitions and research commercialisation.
Over 600 invited participants would attend the World Halal Conference. These include business leaders, government representatives, industry players and stakeholders.
They could look forward to interacting and discussing with various stakeholders, including local and international scientists, manufacturers, buyers, researchers, academicians, graduate students, government and business leaders, technocrats, the media and the general public, and exchanging ideas on new research findings, emerging technologies, trends, issues and challenges in the global halal industry, which could contribute towards harnessing economic growth while seeking measures towards addressing the multifaceted food security issues.
Participants would benefit in a number of ways from WHC. These include identifying inter-connected and inter-related efforts in which the halal industry could contribute to cushion the effects of the food security crisis; harnessing creative and innovative approaches in ensuring market acceptance and sustainability of the halal industry on a long-term basis, and forging collaborations and enhancing networking among stakeholders to accelerate growth within the related halal sectors.
The theme of this year’s event is ‘Global Food Security - The Halal Perspective’. It is reflective of the need for a renewed global effort among halal stakeholders to work towards a common cause in addressing the crisis.
“The global halal industry and global food security have similar challenges. To overcome these, we need global policies and investment reforms from multiple fronts, including human capital development, research and innovations, as well as logistics and natural resources management, so as to accelerate and provide impetus to the development of the halal economy, especially halal food security for the global arena,” the organisers added.
The intellectual discourse during the event would evolve upon inter-dependent and inter-connected matters surrounding global food security, which relates to halal trade and industrial development.
The exchange of views, ideas and experience is expected to increase the momentum of economic growth and harness innovativeness within the halal eco-system in ensuring sustainable halal supplies across the entire chain.
WHC 2014 would have a mix of sessions, featuring insights at the Ministerial Panel session, thought-provoking discussions during the panel sessions and paper presentations by prominent global speakers in their respective fields.
The event would offers back-to-back plenary sessions on investment, Islamic finance, eco-system business networking and halal vaccine and a halal showcase galleria.
“The industry has reached new crossroads and it should reflect and fully mirror the depth and breadth of our Halal development commitments globally,” the organisers said.
“WHC signifies the need to bring halal to a higher level to the diversified audiences that we serve both at home and abroad,” they added.
“Halal conventions and conferences are few and far between. Our annual event has proven itself to be a compelling point for those who need to touch and feel the reality of halal products and services,” the organisers said.
“It is also imperative for those who need to exchange and evaluate their own progress and sense of achievement. WHC provides this platform and opportunity; hopefully, the stage we are providing would offer something to everyone,” they added.
“We strongly believe that the linkages we form with others in the halal sectors have narrowed all obstacles and issues, be it in terms of technology, infrastructure, logistics, knowledge procurement, training and even branding,” the organisers stated.
“It is the key objective to nurture not only growing business entities, but also to provide them with definite pathways towards completing their own individual eco-systems,” he added.
