Saudi Arabia, Singapore ink deal on mutual recognition of halal certificates

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) signed a preliminary agreement with the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, to discuss cooperation opportunities in halal product quality assurance.

The religious council is also known as Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura. 

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) aims to develop procedures for conformity assessment, standard specifications, and technical regulations for issuing halal certificates, the authority said in a statement. 

The MoU also ensures mutual recognition between the two parties for exported local products as well as the exchange of expertise and knowledge in the areas of training, research, and laboratory analysis for halal products.

The Saudi Halal Center is one of the initiatives of the National Transformation Program. The certificates issued by the center contribute to facilitating trade procedures and supporting the export of local products to compete in global markets.

The centre recently awarded halal certificates to more than 219 facilities.