Cambodia: Cooperating on Halal Food Standards

Cambodia will cooperate with Thailand and Malaysia to establish Halal standards to meet the needs of the growing number of domestic and foreign tourists visiting Cambodia, especially those from the Middle East.

Minister of Commerce Mao Thora said yesterday at a Halal standards seminar: 'Both Muslim and non-Muslim countries have demand for Halal food, because it is clean, hygienic and of high standards. Many countries with Muslim populations encourage the production and certification of Halal products. We will cooperate with Thailand and Malaysia and will soon bring Halal standards to Cambodia. Our Cambodian Halal Steering Committee is working closely with Thailand and Malaysia to create Cambodian Halal standards. We do not yet fully understand Halal standards.'

Osman Hassan, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Labour and deputy director of the Halal Steering Committee, said: 'When Cambodia adopts this Halal standard, the Halal food industry will become a driving force for the economy. The standards will apply to preparation, processing, packaging, storage, display and sale, as well as food safety, marketing and labeling. Products qualified for certification will comply with Halal regulations, local laws, and standards on food safety and labeling. With more and more tourists visiting Cambodia, especially from the Middle East, the country will focus on Halal food in restaurants and hotels. The market size and value of Halal products are huge, spread all over the world. For example, the value of Halal product exports from Thailand to the world is US$6 billion per year, while Malaysia exports about US$11 billion of Halal products to the global market per year. If Cambodia has Halal standards, it may generate greater returns for the economy, and investment in Halal products comes not only from Muslims. When non-Muslims know how to follow the process, they can also invest in Halal products.'

The committee will also invite Thai and Malaysian counterparts to help confirm the standards.

Enterprises wishing to register must meet the requirements of the Halal Steering Committee, which will inspect their business and then grant them certification, Mr. Thora said.

Darm Boontham, charge d'affaires of the Thai Embassy, said Thailand will cooperate with the committee to contribute to helping Cambodia and bringing Halal-standard products to Cambodian Muslim consumers. 'The Cambodian government is keen on standardizing Halal products so that they can be used by Cambodia's more than 700,000 Muslims,' Mr. Boontham said.

Halal food adheres to Halal regulations, prohibits pork, and animals must be slaughtered in a specific way.