Hong Kong may design new halal certification system as part of wider effort to lure Middle Eastern visitors
- Current system is extremely strict, which makes number of restaurants that qualify very limited, Tourism Board says
- One of board’s major focuses is to develop Middle East as inbound tourism market in line with Belt and Road Initiative, according to executive director
Hong Kong may design a new halal certification system for restaurants as part of the city’s efforts to further bolster ties with the Middle East and attract more leisure and business travellers from the region.
Tourism Board executive director Dane Cheng Ting-yat said on Monday authorities were considering establishing a new scheme next year that was “more suitable for Hong Kong”.
“The current system is extremely strict, which makes the number of restaurants that qualify very limited,” he said.
Hong Kong does not currently have a government halal certification system. Instead, the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong is responsible for granting certificates and ensuring businesses adhere to the requirements through unannounced inspections.
According to the organisation, meat deemed “haram” or prohibited includes pork, dog, cat, tiger, lion and monkey. Animals that are permitted to be eaten, such as chickens, cows and sheep, should be slaughtered in accordance with sharia law.
Halal food must also be prepared separately from non-permitted items to avoid cross-contamination, while all cooking tools and utensils must be washed by a Muslim staff or trained personnel.
According to the Tourism Board, 105 eateries across the city have been deemed halal certified premises by the Fund.
Cheng said one of the board’s major focuses in the coming year was to develop the Middle East as an inbound tourism market, in line with the Belt and Road Initiative to create a China-centred trade network covering more than 100 countries.
