Andalusia, Spain – When you hear the name of Andalusia, you are reminded of the Grand Mosque of the city, its spacious palaces and other countless remnants of Islamic culture and history spread all over the city and other parts of Spain. However, this time, the country is bracing for expanding its halal offerings to the Muslim world.
The country is keen to involve more Muslim countries in business and trade, especially in halal food sector as the country is supported by a strong agricultural industry and the history of Islam in Andalusia. Director General of Fundacion de Cordoba, Agropolis Ranchal Antonio Fernandez said that the halal market in Spain had already been serving two million people. Their country could evolve into a strategic gateway for growing Muslim population in the whole of Europe. “In addition to the Muslim community and Islamic history, we also have the food and agriculture industry which is already established, and the infrastructure, and transportation networks are well connected,” said Ranchal told Bernama, the Malaysian news agency.
Located two hours from Madrid and near the Port of Malaga, Andalusia is the Spanish agricultural center with Cordoba as one of the important cities nearby. Spanish produce food for Europe. Although incorporated in the EU, the country is also on good terms with the North African countries such as Morocco and Algeria. It has a growing Muslim population as well. “We are leaders in certain products such as fruit and olive oil, cattle, citrus fruits, vegetables, and strawberries. We have laboratories that can test the Halalness of its food products.
Additionally, there are more than 300 scientific groups which perform variety of innovations, According to Ranchal, Andalusia could gather knowledge in the food and agriculture industry practice, the focus of this potential for the Halal industry.
Agropolis Fundacion de Cordoba acts as a coordinating local body to enhance, and deploy available resources related to the food industry. Cordoba. Assembly supervisor consists of the city council, ministries, local governments, universities, and public and private companies. “University of Cordoba is a leader in the food industry and agricultural research in Spain.
We also act as a forum for access to public and private resources for research, innovation, and investment from sources such as the European Union and private funds, “said Ranchal. The Foundation is also collaborating with the Institute of Halal Islamic Council of Spain for standardization and development of brands’ Cordoba Halal ‘. “If you create a good environment, concentrate on providing good service to interested investors, they will come and settle there. “They know our certification bodies, they know we have a lab that can test and ensure the manufacturing of truly halal products based on the Koran and scientific analysis.
This is our strength, “said Ranchal.process of industrial and agricultural Spain clean and safe because it is under European Union legislation. “Actually, we’ve been practicing kosher but did not realize it. We need to adapt to a particular section, “Ranchal said, adding that Cordoba City Council are conducting related research grants and incentives for the halal industry. Ranchal say that Agropolis Fundacion de Cordoba has hired a consultant to develop all the programs incorporated in the long-term project. “Our first plan is to provide halal industrial services group. We can do it in less than five years. After that, we want to develop a network of Halal parks in the whole of Spain, “said Ranchal. *The Foundation plans to work with Malaysian universities such as Universiti Putra Malaysia, Islamic Advancement of Malaysia (Jakim), and the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC). “Cordoba was once a knowledge center for Muslims. We still like it, and we want to revive the status of Gordoba of the 11th century, “concludes Ranchal.
Originally published on food.detik.com
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