SINGAPORE'S biggest up-and- coming halal industry player My Outlets Express Pte Ltd is stepping up its game with expansion activities in Japan, China and Korea, but the heart of its business still lies within the Lion City. The halal market is one of the world's fastest growing markets, with US$2.77 trillion total market value for halal food and commodity trading reported annually. My Outlets' founder and chairman Ronnie Faizal Tan started the...

The boss of Indian Muslim restaurant Singapore Zam Zam saved for three years to take 27 of his staff to Mecca for their first umrah, or minor pilgrimage. The man declined to be named or interviewed, but manager Zackeer Khan, who went on the trip, told The Straits Times yesterday that his boss did it to repay them for their years with the company. The restaurant at 697-699, North Bridge Road was closed for 10...

SINGAPORE companies are well-positioned to venture into foreign halal markets, particularly China's huge domestic market, according to market insiders. China's halal market is valued at US$21 billion and is one of the fastest-growing in the world. But it lacks national standards and legislative support as its certification centres are only regional. Halal denotes products and services which meet Islamic consumption standards. Industry observers...