Bangladesh ships $850m worth of halal products annually: DCCI

Business Report :

Bangladesh exports around $850 million worth of halal products each year, most of which come from agriculture-based goods, however, a well-coordinated halal ecosystem is essential for unlocking Bangladesh’s potential in the global halal market, currently valued at around USD 3 trillion, speakers said at a focus group discussion organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) on Saturday.

The discussion titled ‘Development of Bangladesh Halal Industry: Challenges and Prospects’ was held at the DCCI auditorium, where industry experts and policymakers stressed the need for an independent halal certification authority, internationally accredited testing facilities, and stronger public–private collaboration to ensure Bangladesh’s competitiveness in the global halal market.
In his welcome remarks, DCCI Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury said Bangladesh has yet to fully utilize its potential in the halal sector, as the country’s exports from halal products remain below USD 1 billion — mostly agro-based — despite the global market’s projected growth to USD 9.45 trillion by 2034.

“As the fourth-largest Muslim-majority country in the world, and with abundant agricultural, livestock, and fisheries resources, Bangladesh holds strong potential,” he said.
However, he expressed disappointment that most halal products worldwide are currently produced in non-Muslim countries.

In addition to Muslim consumers, many non-Muslim countries are now showing growing interest in halal products due to their quality and hygienic production processes, Chowdhury said.
He identified several bottlenecks, including non-compliance with international standards, lack of logistics support, inadequate laboratory facilities, shortage of skilled manpower and the absence of a unified halal ecosystem.

Presenting the keynote paper, Dr Mominul Islam, Assistant Professor at IUBAT, noted that both the Islamic Foundation and Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) currently issue halal certificates, often creating procedural complications.
He cited the absence of a national halal policy, limited SME participation, poor branding, and weak supply chain management as key barriers to growth.
Md Abul Kalam Azad, Assistant Manager (Export) of Paragon Group, called for a digital and technology-based certification system, while Bengal Meat’s AGM Sayadul Haq Bhuiyan emphasized blockchain technology for animal traceability and international accreditation of halal authorities.
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Director General Ariful Hoque said the halal industry could play a key role in export diversification in the post-LDC era, adding that the government is considering establishing a special economic zone dedicated to halal industries.
Bangladesh Accreditation Board Director General Mohd Aminul Islam expressed optimism that coordinated efforts and strategic planning could help Bangladesh gain a stronger foothold in the global halal trade.
During the open-floor discussion, former DCCI Vice President M Abu Hurairah highlighted the growing role of rural women in livestock and agriculture, suggesting low-interest incentives to enhance their participation in halal food production.