UAE and Belarus to strengthen economic, trade co-operation

The UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) hosted a halal certification webinar in cooperation with the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BeICCI).

The event explored the role of the halal certification system in increasing the supply of food products to Islamic markets, product conformity assessment, as well as facilitating the movement of goods between countries.

Presented by specialists from MoIAT as part of its cooperation agreements with BeICCI, the webinar drew the participation of stakeholders from the halal and export sectors in Belarus. The event took place under the theme ‘Opportunities and Requirements for Halal Products Supply to the UAE’. In his speech, Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of MoIAT, welcomed the Belarusian delegation, headed by Alexey Bogdanov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food. Other members included Vladimir Ulakhovich, Chairman of BeICCI, and Abu-Bekir Shabanovich, Mufti of the Muslim Religious Association in the Republic of Belarus.

Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi said: “The event represents another step towards strengthening the economic ties between our two countries. The webinar builds on earlier cooperation between the UAE and Belarus. In 2018, Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA) and the Emirates National Accreditation System (ENAS) signed three memorandums of understanding with the Belarusian State Centre for Accreditation (BSCA) on technical collaboration related to halal accreditation, as well as on the accreditation system of relevant authorities and the exchange of specialist expertise.”

He presented a brief outline of the Ministry’s strategy that aims to drive the development of the UAE’s industrial sector in preparation for the UAE Centennial 2071. Its objectives include attracting investment to the UAE’s thriving industrial sector, enhancing its global competitiveness, creating an innovative research and development ecosystem, and consolidating the country’s status as a global leader in future industries.

The strategy is based on several pillars – accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies, developing standardisation and metrology, boosting in-country value, developing future industries and supporting industrial sectors in any shape or form.

Food Security as a Priority

The Undersecretary added: “Despite the economic headwinds and industry-wide disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the global food and beverage industry remains on the rise and among the top priorities of countries across the globe, including the UAE.”

He pointed out that the food and beverage industry is one of MoIAT’s priority sectors for the next phase of its strategy in line with its focus on food security amidst expectations that total consumer spending in the halal food sector will reach approximately $1.4 trillion by 2024.

Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi noted that the UAE ranks third in the Global Islamic Economy Indicator, with the country’s halal food and beverage market projected to be valued at Dhs20 billion next year, according to the State of Global Islamic Economy Report.