At “Moscow Halal Expo” businessmen will meet with investors
On 9th of June 2010 in “Crocus Expo” in Moscow will take place the First Moscow International Halal Exhibition (Moscow Halal Expo 2010), about the business part of which Madina Kalimullina, the director of economic programs department of the International Department of the Russia Muftis Council, told the portal IslamRF.
Madina, what is so special about Moscow Halal Expo 2010 along with the international conference “Islamic Finance: Development in Russia” and the Forum “Halal industry in Russia and in the world”, held together with the exhibition?
The holding of Moscow Halal Expo and the international conference “Islamic Finance: development in Russia” is a natural continuation of the progressive development of the subject of Islamic finance in Russia. We do not claim an exclusive role in promoting Islamic finance in Russia, but the upcoming event is characterized by the peculiarity that at this platform we combine two areas – finance and production. In our understanding Islamic finance should not be considered separately from the real economy.
The exhibition will present companies that are already engaged in halal sphere – from production of food and equipment to clothing, travel and educational services, public catering.
The program of the Exhibition includes events, where both sides of the economic process – produces and financiers – will meet. It will be a presentation of investment projects, and on the second day of the forum (8th of June) there will be a combined session “The investment needs of the Russian halal industry and halal finance products. Services of Islamic finance in Russia for the halal industry.”
In your opinion, what business projects that may be attractive for the investors will be presented during the Exhibition?
Among the most promising projects I would name the investment project for expansion of the existing fast food network “Burger Khan” that started up in the Noginsk district of Moscow region and shows goods results. The project involves expanding the network in Moscow and other parts of the region. According to the authors, the network of fast food cafes should be an institution for family holiday that is at most convenient for Muslims and offers healthy food at democratic prices.
Among the projects there are also other ideas for the development of infrastructure within reach for Muslims. It is noteworthy that a significant part of projects will be presented by the exhibitors that means by the participants who already have a developing or developed business.
In addition, investors will be invited to participate in co-financing of projects with government support or partial government support. These are projects in agriculture and other socially important industries.
Tell us more about the exhibitors, please.
A large number of the exhibitors are Russian companies: in the sector of tourist services it is almost all hajj operators in Russia, educational institutions, manufacturers of equipment, halal meat products and other food products, cosmetics, clothing, arts and crafts manufacturers, as well as financial institutions. On the part of foreign participants participation have been confirmed by the companies from Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Iran, Great Britain, Belarus, etc. This is also the production of food and clothing. List of Exhibitors is updated daily.
As is known, Moscow Halal Expo 2010 will be held parallel to Arabia Expo, that will present companies from the Arab world.
On the 7th of June in the program states the plenary discussion “Russia – the Arab world. Economic aspects of cooperation. " Tell us about this event
This discussion is organized as a common event of Moscow Halal Expo 2010 and Arabia Expo. It will be held in conjunction with television Rusia Al Yaum, and Al-Jazeera, the latter will broadcast it on-line. Among the key participants we expect to see Adnan Kassar, the President of the Council of the General Union of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Arab countries.
Earlier it was stated that the exhibition will present also the standards for Islamic financial instruments?
The conference will present the standards for such instruments as sukuk (Islamic securitization) and murabaha (sale), and, possibly, takaful (Islamic insurance) in the translation into Russian. Standards were developed and published by the Accounting and Auditing Organization Islamic Financial Institutions (Bahrain).
In addition, we are going to present the model contracts in Islamic finance, which are currently being developed by experts from the Russian Association of Experts in Islamic Finance. These will be the contracts that take into account the specifics of Islamic finance along with the Russian legislation.
Will people “from the street” be able to visit the Exhibition?
We assume several degrees of participation: exhibitors will be entitled to take part in all activities of the business program; participants (that are not exhibitors) will be able take part in activities after buying an entry ticket for 7 or 10 thousand rubles, depending on whether they are a natural or a juridical person. Only visit of the Exhibition area will be free after pre-registration. Registration will take place online at our website www.muslimeco.ru, as well as directly at the Exhibition. It is also worth mentioning that Arabia Expo participants will also have free access to all our events and vice versa. On an ongoing basis, we are working on the improvement and mutual enrichment of our business program.
04.05.2010
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