There is huge potential for Vietnamese products to export to the Middle East market which has high demand for Halal products, particularly farm produce, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

However, businesses need to carefully learn about customs and consumption trends in Africa and the Middle East when they want to expand exports, particularly Halal products, to the market, said Nguyen Minh Phuong, head of the West Asia – Africa Office under the MoIT's Department of Asia – Africa Markets at a conference held on July 12.

Tran Trong Kim, First Secretary in charge of the Vietnam Trade Office in Saudi Arabia, said that businesses need to learn market demand and regulations on quality management and food hygiene and safety carefully before exporting products.

The global Halal market is estimated to value at over $2 trillion and is expected to increase to $2.8 trillion in the coming years.