Western Cape to build R1b halaal plant targeting Middle East, Africa

halaal food processing plant(ANA) – The Western Cape government has its eyes set on building a R1 billion halaal agri-processing plant as part of the province’s economic growth strategy, known as Project Khulisa.

Announcing the partnership with the Western Cape Fine Food Initiative on Monday, Economic Opportunities MEC Alan Winde said work had already started with the private sector to setting up the park. “The global Halaal market is worth $2.3 trillion. The proposed Halaal park will allow the Western Cape to double our share of that fast-growing market.”

He added: “We will focus on the Middle East and North Africa, where around 20 percent of the world’s Muslim population reside.” Winde said the aim was to increase halaal exports by $31-billion in the next five years. In that time, “The proposed park is expected to add a further 5,000 new jobs to our economy …”

Project Khulisa has identified agri-processing as a key growth sector with the potential to add up to 100,000 jobs and generate R26 billion for the economy under a high-growth business programme.

Winde would make the formal proposal to the Western Cape cabinet next month, and if approved hoped the park would get off the ground in two years. “There are two sites under consideration for the Halaal park, namely the Cape Town International Airport and a site in the Cape Winelands. The park will be a fully Halaal zone and will be a cluster of manufacturing and service firms in the Halaal industry.

It should “present significant opportunities for private-sector investment. We also hope to encourage the establishment of a single, globally recognised Halaal certifying body to be based at the park.”

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