Opportunities and challenges of developing the Halal food market
發佈日期: 2025-05-15 19:37
TVB News
Chief Executive John Lee's recent Middle Eastern tour has signalled growing business and cultural ties between Hong Kong and the Persian Gulf nations.
But some in Hong Kong's food industry hoping to break into the Middle Eastern market say they've encountered obstacles due to local policies.
This as a number of local businesses expressed a desire for government financial support to attract more Middle Eastern brands to the city.
In line with the government's efforts to boost Islamic tourism in the city, a growing number of restaurants and those in the food industry have begun applying for halal certifications.
Mr. Tsang, who applied for the certificate in September last year, has been running a halal food business with a primarily Asean consumer base.
He hopes to break into the Middle Eastern market.
Tsang said his company is focused on Asian cuisine.
He pointed out that despite Chinese cuisine's appeal around the world, Muslims are unable to enjoy much of Hong Kong's food given the lack of halal consideration.
According to Islamic doctrine, alcohol and food containing pork is strictly forbidden.
Tsang, who took a course on Islam last year, wanted to learn more about the religion's teachings and culture, having spent more than a million dollars to update his company's production line to cater for his Muslim clients.
But his attempts to access the Middle Eastern market remains one riddled with obstacles.
Tsang recalled a number Middle Eastern clients requesting him to present official food qualification documents, which required him to pay 10,000 dollars for a certificate from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.
In a bid to assist local businesses in acquiring halal certification, a food testing centre under the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong began testing for pork and alcohol in food products two years ago.
But the centre stressed its services will be more expensive if businesses require their assistance to set up shop in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the president of a local halal certification company said many Middle Eastern restaurants and businesses are interested in entering the mainland market via Hong Kong.
He believes that an increase in the variety of foreign cuisines can also attract more mainland tourists to visit the city.
