On February 21, Dubai World Trade Centre opened the doors of the international food exhibition Gulfood 2016 with more than 5,000 attending companies and 85,000 expected visitors.

Along with the world's largest producers, this year's Gulfood featured an exhibition stand of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation and the country's leading halal producers (AH "Miratorg", NC "Damate", FAM "Resurs", NC "Cherkizovo" and others).

The opening of the exhibition was marked by the visit of the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to the Russian stand. Russian halal products sparked genuine interest from the Emirati leadership.

Among other organizations present at the stand was the International Centre of Standardization and Certification "Halal" (ICSC "Halal") led by its CEO Aydar Gazizov, his deputy on external economic activities Samat Sadykov, director of Halal standard development and learning department Yusuf Rikov and external economic activities lead specialist Garuki Alim.

During the exhibition, Mr. Gazizov gave an interview to the international business news channel CNBC. The journalists were interested in the development of halal industry in Russia and the export potential of the companies present at the Russian exhibition stand. Mr. Gazizov briefly answered the questions and stressed that all featured companies are certified by ICSC "Halal" and accredited by the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water.

The Russian stand was also visited by the Russian minister of agriculture Alexander Tkachyov. It is worth noting that the introduction of halal standard into the aforementioned companies as well as export marketing activities were organized under the patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Russia's Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Monitoring Service. Mr. Gazizov showed the minister around ICSC "Halal" stand and conveyed him the greetings of mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin, stressing on the role of Russia Muftis Council in the development of Halal industry in Russia and establishing contacts with the Muslim countries. Mr. Tkachyov thanked the representatives of ICSC "Halal" for their work, returning the greeting to the Chairman of Russia Muftis Council and the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin.

The first day of the exhibition also featured a number of other important meetings as well as talks with prospective Halal food importers.

ICSC "Halal" press service