Smart solutions • B2B
Dubai is leading the way in the region in terms of using innovative and intelligent solutions for business processes.
Can you outline your operations in Dubai and the region?
How do you assess HTMC’s progress thus far in establishing itself as a global center for halal trade?
HTMC is a one-stop shop with a focus on providing marketing intelligence, halal compliance, and growth support services to the industry, which includes manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and retailers of halal economy products and services. HTMC offers interested parties tailor-made services by utilizing service partners that provide the center with a range of premium services to support companies and businessmen on local, regional, and global levels. HTMC has more than 18 service partners from different sectors and countries that include trade promotion agencies, halal accreditation bodies, specialist research advisory firms, training partners, local and international public institutions, and Islamic banks, amongst others. HTMC is receiving global traction, actively hosting international business delegations from different countries such as China, Indonesia, and Spain, among others. As a part of our global outreach program, we have participated in international trade missions to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Russia, Spain, Portugal, and Italy, engaging with halal industry players as well as contributing thought leadership in forums related to the Islamic economy. The center is performing and progressing extremely well and has already achieved its targeted goals in line with its mandate. There will be further efforts made to promote and develop HTMC in 2020.
Are there specific markets that you are targeting more than others or from which you are receiving increased interest?
HTMC is focused on capitalizing economic opportunities for the industry players within the halal sector. The center services extend beyond a single market and are focused on the development of the halal industry both regionally and internationally. From a global perspective, we know there are key markets in terms of producing and consuming halal products. We are targeting those countries as their industries are the main contributors to the global halal trade flows. However, we are also experiencing interest from other territories realizing the opportunities available in the global halal market. Some of these requests come from regions such as Eastern Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, or Central Asia and increasingly from non-Muslim majority countries as they also want to capitalize from this huge and fast-growing market. Our access to these markets itis substantially supported by our service partners who are geographically spread out in different parts of the world.
Though these services are global, how does the center fit into the mandate of promoting the halal trade through Dubai?
In 2013, His Highness announced his vision to position Dubai as the capital of the Islamic economy, which resulted in the formation of the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre (DIEDC), which has the mandate of realizing this vision. The Islamic economy comprises the Islamic finance, halal trade, and Islamic lifestyle sectors. HTMC is a key contributor of DIEDC’s mandate in activation of the halal trade flows globally and through Dubai. Dubai’s strategic position as a global trading hub with vast international connectivity provides a great platform for HTMC to grow the halal industry and achieve its goals. In addition, Dubai in the last few years has been able to attract key stakeholders who contribute to the Islamic economy infrastructure of Dubai, and HTMC is now one of the key components of this ecosystem. As a result of our global interactions, we are also promoting Dubai as a gateway for the global halal industry.
Our mandate is to be the main reference for the halal industry on a global level. We will further strengthen our services portfolio so we can serve the industry by enabling them to realize economic benefits and outcomes. In the coming years, we will also grow our network with new service partners and achieve our goal of boosting halal trade worldwide. We want global industries to capitalize on HTMC to maximize their share in the growing halal markets. ✖
Harjeev Kandhari
CEO, ZENISES How have technological advancements allowed you to develop your business?
We have our own telematics department named Z-Elematics, which is based in Europe. From a technology perspective, the tire industry is not as technologically advanced as we would like to be. The industry is mostly dominated by older, white males; this allows us to break barriers. People of my generation and younger, such as millennials, are less active in the domain we work in, allowing us to take the industry and do things differently. Our motto is disruptive thinking. We are the first in the world to have come up with the tire subscription service. Leading tire companies are now attempting to follow trends we successfully set. Technology is thus important in both the distribution side and the product side. No one had previously thought to start a subscription service for a product like tires. With this motto in mind, we came up with a tire decorated with diamonds and gold. Tires are not an attractive and trendy product; however, I was able to come up with this idea thanks to being in Dubai. People think differently here, and there is a huge sentiment of creativity and entrepreneurialism.
How is UI Meat looking to capitalize on the growth of the Islamic economy and halal industry both in Dubai and abroad?
We are expanding our business in the halal market; from the Dubai market alone, we expect some 25% growth in 2020. We have leased another factory and are building a new one outside the free zone. Moreover, we recently signed a new contract to take over a plant in Saudi Arabia. Kuwait and Oman also represent great opportunities for us. Beyond the GCC, the company is looking at Lebanon, Iraq, and Egypt, as well as some countries in Africa. For these countries, we are only looking at distribution in the near future, with the possibility of establishing plants based on our success. This next decade will be extremely important. We have a great chance to promote many items and develop them for the future. We are developing new segments based on sales performance. We are looking to establish another plant abroad to increase production. We are mainly looking to add more products to our frozen and ready-to-eat segments. We have ready-to-eat meat like small turkeys and other items and have a good market in those segments.