Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the most organized halal markets in the world

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The third Sarajevo Halal Fair will be held in Sarajevo from May 17 to 19.

The organizers of the fair, BBI and the Halal Quality Certification Agency, announce a rich program, the participation of global and domestic companies, and leading world experts in the field of the halal industry, business, and academia.

- The Sarajevo Halal Fair brings together a large number of business people, companies, and products and services from various countries around the world in one place.

This will be a meeting place for producers, buyers, distributors, and end consumers, representing an opportunity for promotion, meetings, business deals, and contract signing - says Damir Alihodžić, Director of the Halal Quality Certification Agency, for MINA Agency.

He points out that Bosnia and Herzegovina represents the most organized halal market in the region and Europe, and one of the most organized halal markets in the world, and consumers have great confidence in the halal status and quality of domestic products, which has enabled the export of halal-certified products to markets that require halal certification.

All of this contributes to the development of the halal industry and investment in the production of halal products and the provision of halal services.

- The halal industry of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the most developed industry in the northeastern European region. It includes 109 halal-certified companies that supply around 7,000 products to the domestic market daily. The largest number of halal-certified companies come from the meat industry, followed by the confectionery and dairy industries, and fruit and vegetable processing - says Alihodžić.

Recently, Alihodžić notes, there has been an increasing interest in certifying hospitality and tourism facilities. Also, a large number of domestic companies market their halal products in various halal markets, as well as in markets where halal is not a requirement but a competitive advantage.

- Bosnian and Herzegovinian halal products find their place on the shelves of various markets around the world. Our companies export to countries in the region, the EU, America, Canada, Australia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Malaysia, and other countries.

Accordingly, halal products from our region are of high quality, competitive, and interesting to consumers, although additional work is needed on promotion, branding, and joint presence in existing and new markets - says Alihodžić.

When it comes to halal tourism, according to him, Bosnia and Herzegovina is becoming an increasingly attractive tourist destination, which is supported by the increase in the number of foreign tourists and a good rating on the scale of the most desirable halal tourist destinations.

The increase in the number of tourists has also had a positive impact on foreign investment in tourist facilities, and these trends are expected to continue, as halal tourists are generally well-received in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- Considering all of the above, we can conclude that Bosnia and Herzegovina has a lot to offer when it comes to halal-certified products and services.

We also want to emphasize that the halal market of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the most significant in the Southeast European region, where the presence of foreign halal products that are certified is also noticeable - Alihodžić concludes.