Islamically-correct ‘Made in Italy’ products that can be exported to Muslim countries and follow Italian gastronomic excellence - including tortelloni and lasagne - but also the most advanced drugs and the best cosmetic specialist products.
And in order to respect, also in Italy, the Koranic laws.
This is the sense of the ‘halal’ brand, sponsored by the Italian Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economic Development, Health and Agricultural Policy, which today at the Foreign Ministry in Rome, have signed an inter-ministerial agreement to support the Coreis initiative.
The Islamic religious community has asked the patents office to register the quality brand as ‘halal’ (allowed, according to the precepts of the Koran), valid for the whole of the national territory, which certifies conformity to the Koranic laws on food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products that are produced in Italy.
“For example,” observed the Health Minister Ferruccio Fazio, “during the butchering of meat, a Muslim person must recite preset prayers, whilst no solvents containing alcohol can be used, and the whole chain must be halal and there can be no contaminations.”
The aim is twofold: the expansion on markets of Muslim countries - halal products have a turnover of 500 billion euros worldwide, 54 billion in Europe, 5 billion in Italy with 120,000 firms managed by Muslims - but also, explained Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, “the progressive integration of Muslim communities resident in Italy into the social fabric.”
With the initiative approved today, and to which companies will adhere voluntarily, Frattini added that “the seriousness of the certification” verified by the Ethical Committee was guaranteed, always respecting the Italian and European legal system, and “reassurance is given to consumers and authorities of those countries where these products will be promoted.”
It is also, underlined the Minister for Agricultural Policy Giancarlo Galan, “a tribute to all the Muslim women and men who work in our country and to whom we owe a great deal.”
Pointing out the “historical and solid friendship between Italy and countries of the Arab world,” Frattini underlined the importance of “a sign of attention and respect for the values of which the Muslim countries are the carriers.”
And in response to journalists who asked if this will be a problem for relations with Israel, Frattini answered that he “didn’t believe so” because “we have respected and we respect the Jewish rules in the same sector.”
He concluded that “we want to build bridges, not barriers.”