The picturesque city of Invercargill in Southland hosted the seventh annual meeting of the New Zealand Halal Slaughtermen Union last week, where they also celebrated the recent Halal Journal Award win by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority.

After a buoyant performance in the fragrance and cosmetic industry last year, experts are anticipating a promising 2011 as the Arab's intense predilection for fragrances and cosmetics ensures a healthy outlook.

Director of US-based Midamar Corp. Jalel Aossey was invited to speak at the recent WHF in Kuala Lumpur, where he discussed the challenges and opportunities of conducting a Halal business in secular countries.

The Arabian Travel Market (ATM 2011), the leading travel exhibition for the Middle East region, will be held from 2 - 5th May 2011 at Dubai, UAE and Crescentrating.com will again be participating.

Australian and New Zealand farmers are switching to dairy operations and have scaled down production for Halal lamb meat, resulting in high meat prices for Easter and Passover in Maryland, US.

Kuwait Finance House (Malaysia) Bhd (KFHMB), the country's first foreign Islamic bank, has launched an interest free loan scheme for single mothers to start businesses in Kelantan.

The first-ever Islamic finance training catered to over 100 Imams in the US will be introduced to raise the level of knowledge and understanding of Islamic financial transaction law.

As populations and food needs grow across the Middle East, one Egyptian businessman has spotted a niche export opportunity for Australia: halal camel meat.

Malaysia's pharmaceutical industry, presently worth RM4.2 billion per annum, holds massive potential for growth especially in the manufacturing of Halal medicines.

This year’s 8th annual summit of the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB), scheduled to be held at the New Conference Centre Kirchberg in Luxembourg on May 10-13, is already making an impact.

HDC introduced a publication called “The Modern Compendium of Halal” series to meet the demands for more comprehensive literature from the Halal perspective.

Bursa Malaysia should concentrate on becoming the London Stock Exchange (LSE) for Islamic finance and utilise the country's vibrant Halal ecosystem instead of looking to merge with LSE.

New EU proposals have steered away from labelling meat from ritually slaughtered animals as Halal or Shechita to avoid causing religious offence, instead opting for the label of "meat from slaughter without stunning".

A global publisher of research has recognised the work of a Charles Darwin University academic who has investigated the lucrative market of spiritual tourism.

Drawing from its reputation as a leader in Halal skin care, ElHajj Products Sdn Bhd announces partnership with three Hajj and Umrah travel operators to equip their pilgrims with mini Halal skin care sets.

Malaysia's Halal Industry Development Corporation and JAKIM signed an MOU today to put in place specific capabilities and resources for those who wish to participate more visibly and profitably in the Halal industry.

Marianne Thieme and her Animal Rights Party, which is now working with Geert Wilders and the PPV to push for a law that bans Halal and kosher meat in the Netherlands, is expected to be hauled to courts for spreading misleading information.

Experts say the new Socially Acceptable Market Investments (SAMI) Halal Food Index will be a bridge-builder for Islamic funds and for global non-Islamic investors interested in the emerging food sector.

The New Zealand meat industry is expected to grow significantly after the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry won the HJ Award for Best Service Provider at the World Halal Forum last week.

Global pharmaceutical giant Abbott on April 12 received the Company of the Year award from the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) for compliance to Halal in its manufacturing practices.