Brunei Darussalam representatives, led by Sulaiman Gemok, Director of the Syariah Affairs Department, participated in the 19th ASEAN Working Group on Halal Food (AWGHF) Meeting hosted by Laos on September 13. Other attendees included the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood officials at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) and the Public Relations, International, and MABIMS Division at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA).
The meeting addressed various topics, including progress on action plans for ASEAN cooperation in halal food, establishing an international halal authority, and dialogues with foreign partners. Additionally, a workshop held on September 12 focused on reviewing halal food guidelines for ASEAN member countries.
The AWGHF's primary objectives are to standardize halal requirements across the ASEAN region, cater to the growing demand for trustworthy and guaranteed halal products and services, and ensure the consumption of halal products by the Muslim community. This meeting represents a significant step in promoting halal food standards and cooperation within ASEAN, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the availability of halal products for the region's Muslim population.
In summary, Brunei Darussalam participated in the 19th AWGHF Meeting, discussing key issues related to halal food in ASEAN, including cooperation, standardization, and international authority. The workshop held prior to the meeting focused on reviewing halal food guidelines for ASEAN member countries, highlighting the commitment to meeting the demands of the Muslim community for reliable halal products and services within the region.
