"Taiwan Halal Center" - Pioneer of a New Muslim Development Plan

The 'Taiwan Halal Center' (THC)

In response to the increasingly important Muslim market, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council commissioned the Bureau of Foreign Trade to establish the 'Taiwan Halal Center' (THC) as a unified window for Taiwan to advocate for the Halal industry by 'promoting the exchange of international Halal market information,' 'assisting manufacturers in obtaining Halal certification and business opportunities,' and 'creating a friendly environment for Muslims.'

Building an Exchange Platform for Halal Certification

The Taiwan Halal Center has built a platform for exchange and interaction between the government and domestic and foreign Halal certification bodies. Halal certification bodies such as Malaysia's JAKIM and HDC, and Indonesia's MUI, were invited to Taiwan, and more than 200 manufacturers also participated in the event, learning about the latest development trends and market conditions of the Halal industry and discussing Halal industry trends in greater depth. The '2017 Southeast Asia Halal Market and Food Import Procedures Seminar' was held during the Taiwan International Food Show. The chairman of Indonesia's Food and Beverage Import Committee was also invited to Taiwan to share trends on Indonesia's food industry and future Halal certification norms and policies. The event attracted more than 150 manufacturers and various industry, government and academic units.

Obtaining Halal certification is the key to entering the Muslim market. The Taiwan Halal Center recommends that Taiwan's manufacturers apply for Halal certification. Last year there were only 500 Halal-certified enterprises. This number has now exceeded 700, a substantial 40% increase in the number of Halal-certified enterprises. Industry partners have also formed arrangements to import foreign Halal-certified date-palm raw materials for domestic manufacturers, producing them and using them for R&D. These products have already been launched in Malaysia and Singapore.

Providing a home-away-from-home friendly environment for Muslim friends has always been the goal of the Taiwan Halal Center. In addition to providing ongoing consultation to help domestic restaurant chains obtain Halal certification, the Taiwan Halal Center has also established Muslim prayer rooms at the Taipei World Trade Center and the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center. During Ramadan, the Taiwan Halal Center also provides iftar snacks for Muslim buyers. The goal is to promote the sale of Taiwan's Halal-certified products and to accommodate Muslim buyers visiting Taiwan during Ramadan.

Halal Development Trends

An Iraqi buyer who has attended the show for four consecutive years noted that this year, Taipei's specialized display was extraordinary. He discovered dedicated Muslim prayer rooms and the eight-treasure porridge and Okinawa brown-sugar snacks from Taisun Co., Ltd. He realized that Taiwan is embracing and understanding Muslim culture, and was deeply moved by these efforts.

In Taiwan, retail channels have successively established Halal souvenir sections, as well as Muslim-friendly environments and facilities. The Taiwan Halal Center's goal is to help Taiwan's enterprises further meet the needs of the domestic and international global Muslim market.

It can be seen that many regions of the world are promoting Halal certification across all industries, and Halal certification has become a development trend. If you would like to learn more about Halal certification, please contact us at SINOQUAL, and we will serve you wholeheartedly!