By Ann Marie Angebrandt
A HOPPERS Crossing woman well known throughout Melbourne for her Muslim food, has taken a big step in a new direction.
Norasiah Hassan Simkin, who helped launch Wyndham-based Muslimah Halal Catering, in 2003, has joined a business company in introducing Australia’s first international halal trade expo.
About 250 exhibitors from around the world are expected in September to show everything from halal food to furniture at the Royal Exhibition Building.
“Most people think halal is only meat prepared in a special way, but it can describe anything permitted under Islamic law, including behaviour and dress, or the way medicines are prepared,” Ms Simkin said.
But any product with pigskin leather, for example, could not be considered.
Even businesses associated with interest-bearing loans are against the Shari’ah system of financing, and would not be halal.
She estimated the international halal food market to be worth about $330 billion a year, and said Australia’s 280,000 Muslims offered huge market potential.
“We are being very selective about who can attend because there is so much interest,” she said.
Ms Simkin is looking for investors, but is financing the show largely by herself and with friends.
She previously lived in Malaysia with her RAAF-employed husband, and has been a resident of Wyndham since 1979.
She said she got the idea for the expo only a few months ago, after visiting a similar trade show in Malaysia.
“I thought we could do the same thing for Victorians and Australians,” she said.
“We’re trying to create Victoria as a halal hub.”
Few halal products from Australia are exported, but Ms Simkin hopes that will change after the expo.
She said about 90 of the exhibitors will be Australian, and the expo represented great networking opportunities for them.
Ms Simkin’s catering business meanwhile, which started as cooking classes in 1998, continues to develop the skills of migrant women.
It has also forged partnerships with several city councils with which she delivers courses on the paramount issue of food safety.
“I’m surprised at how successful the catering business has become,” she said.
“We’ve had a lot of support with our objective to empower women.”
Australia Trade Halal will take place from 16-19 September. For more information visit australiahalaltrade.com.au.
