KUALA LUMPUR: The halal food industry has now become an asset class within the investment community with the launch of the world's first halal food indices, called SAMI (Socially Acceptably Market Investments) Halal Food Index and SAMI Halal Participation Index today.
Launched at the ongoing World Halal Forum 2011 (WHF2011) here, both the indices would provide a platform for investors seeking syariah-compliant ethical investment opportunities, said Rushdi Siddiqui, Global Head Islamic Finance Thomson Reuters USA. (full story)
Initiated by Thomson Reuters and IdealRatings, the SAMI Halal Food Index comprises 200 companies listed in Muslim-majority countries with a total market capitalisation of over US$100 billion.
A total of 95 companies in the index are Malaysian companies with market capitalisation of US$53 billion, while others are from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Indonesia and Nigeria.
"Previously, we only invested in a company by buying the products that they sell, but now we can invest in the company by buying shares in the company, a way that will help halal producers to grow their business," Rushdi said.
Currently, he said 80 per cent of the halal food products were produced by non-Muslim countries and consumed by most of the Muslim countries.
"The global halal food industry, estimated at US$661 billion and growing at 20 per cent annually is completely under-served and needs tools to support current growth.
"The SAMI index will be the bridge builder for Islamic funds, exchange traded fund investing and sukuk issues as well as for global non-Islamic investors interested in the emerging food sector markets, a non-cyclical and therefore lower risk sector," he added.
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