Vietnam is intensifying efforts to expand its Halal exports to Türkiye as part of a broader strategy to tap into the fast-growing global Halal market, estimated to exceed $2.5 trillion.
The Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in collaboration with the Vietnamese Embassy in Türkiye and the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEIK), recently organized a hybrid seminar on Halal industry cooperation between the two nations.
The event brought together representatives from both governments and the business community to strengthen trade and investment partnerships in the Halal sector.
The seminar aimed to enhance Vietnam’s production capabilities and compliance with international Halal standards while creating direct links among management bodies, certification agencies, and business associations.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Türkiye, Dang Thi Thu Ha, noted that bilateral relations have grown dynamically over nearly five decades, especially following Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit in 2023.
She highlighted that Halal cooperation remains a relatively new but highly promising area given the complementary strengths and mutual governmental support of both countries.
Le Hoang Tai, Deputy Director of VIETRADE, said bilateral trade surpassed $2 billion in 2024, making Vietnam Türkiye’s second-largest trading partner in ASEAN. He added that Türkiye serves as a key gateway for Vietnamese goods entering the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa.
With its large Muslim population, Türkiye is both a major consumer market and a regional Halal processing hub, while Vietnam is becoming a reliable supplier of Halal-certified products in sectors such as processed food, agriculture, beverages, tourism, and logistics.
Zafer, Chairman of Türkiye’s Halal Accreditation Agency (HAK), underlined that global demand for certified Halal products is rising sharply, with Halal certification now viewed as a mark of safety, hygiene, and quality. He outlined Türkiye’s certification requirements for imported Halal goods.
Yunus Ete, President of the World Halal Summit Council, noted the rapid expansion of the Halal food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and tourism sectors.
He invited Vietnamese enterprises to participate in the upcoming World Halal Summit and Halal Expo in Istanbul from 26–29 November, highlighting Türkiye’s role as a bridge between Asia and Europe.
Ramlan Osman, Director of Vietnam’s National Halal Certification Center (HALCERT), said his agency has successfully assisted Vietnamese exporters to Japan and Malaysia, a model that could be replicated for Türkiye.
He added that HALCERT is facilitating B2B partnerships between Vietnamese and Turkish firms to boost trade opportunities.
Despite strong potential, Vietnamese exporters face hurdles such as complex certification requirements related to ingredients, hygiene, humane production, and logistics. The absence of mutual recognition of Halal certificates across Islamic countries further complicates market access.
Reha Denemec, a member of DEIK’s Chairman Board and Chairman of the Türkiye–Vietnam Business Council, reaffirmed DEIK’s readiness to support enterprises from both sides, particularly in advancing Halal cooperation.
Tran Viet Hung, Head of Import-Export at Visimex JSC, said Vietnamese Halal products compete with established suppliers from India, Brazil, the U.S., Malaysia, and Indonesia, as well as Turkish manufacturers.
High certification costs and complex procedures remain obstacles for smaller firms, while some Turkish importers still require locally issued Halal certificates even when foreign accreditations are recognized.
With global Halal demand accelerating, Vietnam views the development of a comprehensive Halal ecosystem as a strategic avenue for strengthening exports and integrating deeper into global supply chains.
The government continues to implement programs aimed at enhancing production capacity, product quality, and certification readiness, while intensifying collaboration with international partners to facilitate entry into Islamic markets.
According to Le Hoang Tai, VIETRADE will continue to work closely with the Vietnamese Embassy in Türkiye, the Türkiye–Vietnam Business Council, and relevant industry associations to promote sustainable Halal cooperation and further deepen bilateral economic and trade relations.
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