The new halal cooperation arrangement will streamline halal certification and product assurance processes, making it easier for New Zealand exporters to access the Indonesian market.

Ample room remain for boosting trade cooperation between Vietnam and Malaysia, including the export of Vietnamese tra (pangsius) fish, as both countries strive to capitalise on regional trade agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), experts have said.

The official visit to Malaysia from November 21-23 by Party General Secretary To Lam is expected to open up new opportunities for and mark a new milestone in the economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Malaysia. Vietnam and Malaysia are key economic, trade, and investment partners. Their economic and trade ties have steadily grown since the two nations established diplomatic relations in 1973.

Vietnam aims to turn its Halal industry into a strong economic sector, positioning the country as an indispensable destination on the global Halal map and an important link in the supply chain of Halal products and services worldwide, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated at a conference held in Hanoi on October 22.

Experts see a golden opportunity for Vietnam to tap into the booming Halal market, fueled by a surging global Muslim population.

Some Vietnamese businesses have shifted their focus to penetrate neighbouring markets due to logistics convenience and concerns about shipping tensions elsewhere.

Malaysia signed two memoranda of understanding (MoU) with Japan on February 22 to strengthen halal trade and investment, and create more jobs in the sector.

The Vietnamese Trade Office in Indonesia has been taking various measures to actively support Vietnamese enterprises in entering Indonesia, given that it is a protected market with many non-tariff barriers, according to Trade Counsellor Pham The Cuong.

Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas stated that halal certification has been made mandatory for medicine, cosmetics, and consumer goods products starting on October 17 as stipulated in a regulation of the government on pertaining to the implementation of halal product insurance.

Vietnam has missed out on 23.6 billion USD in exports to halal markets, according to experts who spoke at a recent seminar on standards needed for halal certification.

Halal food is a promising export product for Vietnamese companies to pursue though they may face challenges.

Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of Economy Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori will co-chair the upcoming fourth meeting of the Vietnam-UAE Intergovernmental Committee in Abu Dhabi on April 18.

The Middle East and Africa are promising markets for Vietnamese exports, heard at a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City on September 27.

Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are two potential markets in the Middle East which Vietnamese enterprises could begin intensifying their exports to, heard a workshop held in Ho Chi Minh City on September 25.

he Middle East has recently been touted as a potential market for Vietnamese seafood exporters due to its rising demand for seafood products, high payment ability, and les strict product standards as compared to the EU, the US and Japan.