PENETRATING RETAIL STORES IN CHINA

Dr Lim noted the Ningxia-Fahim collaboration has also invested in producing halal processed food using beef and mutton for local consumption and the nearby Pingluo province.

"Our target is to produce halal products such as Brahim's that meet the taste of the locals and help penetrate the huge Chinese market," he said.

To help distribute the Fahim brand in China, an agreement has been reached with the Metro retail chain, which has 50 outlets throughout China, to supply halal food under the Fahim name.

The company not only targets its products toward the Muslim community but Also non-Muslims who prefer products with the halal logo that attests to their hygiene and safety.

This is because they know halal status involves a comprehensive monitoring system from the raw material and up to the end product, he said.

Dr Lim stated that Ningxia would emerge as the first hub to utilise Fahim's integrated halal solution, which will be extended in stages to other regions.

HALAL PRODUCTS' FUTURE IN NINGXIA

The unwavering effort of the Chinese government in developing halal products, especially in Ningxia, can be seen through the establishment of the Central Business District, complete with the Arab countries' consular offices and other international facilities.

Commenting further on the collaboration between Ningxia's Provincial Government and Malaysia, the China-Ningxia Halal Food Certification Centre's director, Wang Shengjin, noted that the joint effort would help to highlight the province on the global halal food map.

Wang Shengjin pointed out that Ningxia has inked several MoUs with Malaysia in the sector since 2008, and in return local halal food producers from the province promoted their halal offerings at the Halal Fest in Kuala Lumpur.

Among Malaysian products with potential to penetrate the Chinese market Are white coffee, spices and songkok (Malay headgear).

"The Chinese Government has been the driving force of the halal industry and has set up two halal industrial areas, in Yinchuan and Wuzhong. There are 100 companies operating there now," he said.

He stressed that halal certification from the centre requires a stringent vetting process to ensure the products are genuinely halal.

Out of the 50 applications received since 2008, only 42 have been given halal certification.