Halal meat exporters from Lahore have strongly objected to the selective meeting of a Malaysian delegation with only two abattoirs of Lahore and urged the authorities concerned to investigate the discrimination shown against other companies. The Malaysian delegation had visited the provincial metropolis to audit and approve Lahore based abattoirs for meat export to Malaysia.
"Whether Malaysian delegation came to visit Pakistani abattoirs or meet only two companies," questioned Nasib Ahmad Saifi, a leading meat exporter and Convenor LCCI Standing Committee on Halal Food while talking to Business Recorder here on Tuesday. He said Halal meat is one of the fastest growing markets in the world and Malaysia seems to have a rapidly increasing contribution in it. According to Malaysian National Statistics beef imports to Malaysia have soared to record levels in 2013, he added.
He said prior to visit of the delegation, meat exporters of the provincial metropolis were contacted by the Pakistan Embassy in Malaysia and around 14 parties submitted their interest letter to meet the visiting audit delegation of Malaysia. He claimed that they also submitted a fee with the embassy. However, he regretted that they were totally ignored when the delegation came to Lahore and only two companies were invited to attend the discussion.
He said that the Malaysian delegation has come to Pakistan and wanted to visit abattoirs but they were restricted at upper level to visit only for two abattoirs; one is the slaughterhouse in government sector and the other is the first exporter of Halal meat from Pakistan to Malaysia. While about 8 to 10 modern abattoirs, other than these two are worth named here that made marvellous and rapidly growing contribution in export of Halal meat to all over the world.
Analysing the Malaysian market, Nasib Ahmad Saifi said that it imports shot to 84,118 tons to August 2013, after strong performance from Indian suppliers and growth from Australian exporters, up by 18 percent. India provides 80 percent of Malaysian beef, equating to 67,240 tons for the first seven months, an increase of 17 percent year-on-year. Increase in import value in last five years from A$2.70 per Kg to A$3.50 per Kg in 2013 is thought to be behind the demand.
Pakistan also started to contribute in export of Halal meat to Malaysia in February 2011. A private slaughterhouse made its first consignment. But unfortunately, it can never make even three shipments in three years which discouraged the Malaysian importers a lot, he alleged.
Saifi said that he always represented Pakistan all over the world and make an addition in its goodwill. Exactly should be done by the government representative slaughterhouse but unfortunately the case is reversed and they always try to promote their own business not the Pakistani Halal meat export, he concluded.