THE Brunei Halal Showcase (BruHAS 2017) was officially launched yesterday at the BRIDEX Conference Hall in Jerudong.

Co-organised by the Energy and Industry Department at the Prime Minister’s Office and Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), BruHAS 2017 is being held from August 23-25.

The event consists of four key activities: The Halalan Thayyiban Product and Services Expo (EKSPPHAT), the 2nd International Seminar on Halalan Thayyiban Product and Services (SAPPHAT II), BruHAS 2017 Dialogue on Halal Certificate and Halal Label Order (Amended) 2017 and Halal Logistics, and Halal Clinic.

Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar launched the opening of BruHAS 2017.

In his speech, the minister congratulated and thanked UNISSA for its commitment and involvement in co-organising BruHAS 2017.

"This is the second year that it has co-hosted the seminar, further cementing the role that academic institutions can play in supporting industrial development," he said.

"I hope this effort will continue in the years to come and I would also urge other academic institutions to collaborate more with government agencies in the national economic development agenda.

"Promoting Halalan Thayyiban products and services also allows us to fulfil a religious obligation or 'Fardhu Kifayah' to bring fairness and balance to the wider community, and share a positive image of our Islamic values," he added.

The opening ceremony also saw welcoming remarks delivered by Dr Hajah Mas Nooraini binti Haji Mohiddin, the Co-Chairperson of the BruHAS 2017 Organising Committee and Dean of the Faculty of Syariah and Law at UNISSA.

"BruHAS 2017 is a testament of Brunei Darussalam's effort in developing and expanding its local Halal industry," she said.

She explained the main objectives of BruHAS are creating awareness on the development of the local Halal industry, exposure of local Halal products and services, and supporting local MSMEs in their business ventures to become internationally competitive and be a global player.

The expo, EKSPPHAT, is taking place until August 25 and features 54 participants comprising local and Brunei-based international companies from the food industry, cosmetics, modest fashion, household products and Halal service providers.

Meanwhile, the SAPPHAT II is taking place until today, and features four keynote presentations and 10 presenters sharing their experiences and information on matters related to Halalan Thayyiban.

In addition, BruHAS 2017 will also feature a dialogue on Halal Certificate and Halal Label Order (Amended) 2017 and Halal Logistics, which will take place tomorrow morning.

The BruHAS Halal Clinic is an open and interactive session for the public to enquire subjects related to Halal applications, Halal guidelines and standards, Halal investments, and Halal analysis.

Experts and officers from the Halal Food Control Division of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, UNISSA and the Halal Science and Metrology Centre of the Ministry of Health will be present to assist and give advice. Both the BruHAS 2017 Dialogue and Halal Clinic are open to public.

"We welcome participation from the public especially, so that we can further improve our effort to make the Halal industry one of the mainstays of the economy of our beloved nation, Brunei Darussalam," added Dr Hajah Mas Nooraini.

"Insya Allah, through BruHAS 2017, Brunei Darussalam will gain further prominence as a global Halal knowledge hub and also as a major producer and supplier of Halal products and services."