November 5, 2004

Bangladesh Eyes Halal Beef Market
 

With a growing demand of halal beef in many countries, Muslim-dominated Bangladesh is now planning to export the meat to external markets, mainly Islamic countries.

"An inter-ministerial committee has been working on the prospect of marketing halal (which Islam permits for the Muslims) meat in international market," according to Commerce Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury.

Chowdhury said the government plans to export mutton and beef processed as per the Islamic norms. He added that the government has finalised drafting of legislation on the slaughtering of cattle.

A private firm in northern Thakurgaon district had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Malaysian company for the export of halal meat. "Malaysia and Indonesia have shown interest in importing halal beef from Bangladesh," he said.

The minister also said the country has recorded some 16.10 per cent increase of export in 2003-04 comparing with the previous fiscal year.