Deputy Bolotbek Borbieyev raised the issue that halal certification covers not only food products and inquired about the specific standards that have been implemented in the country.
“Halal certification affects various sectors, not just food products. Kyrgyzstan is a member of the Institute of Standards and Metrology of Islamic Countries (SMIIC), so what specific standards have been introduced in our country?” he asked.
The head of the state institution “Center for the Development of the Halal Industry” under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, Almaz Kaiyrbekov, reported that in 2016 and 2017, Kyrgyzstan implemented three SMIIC standards.
“In 2016 and 2017, we adopted three SMIIC standards concerning both food products and the tourism sector, including halal certification for the hotel sector,” he clarified.
Kaiyrbekov also added that these requirements apply to hotels.
“Large hotels must have special rooms for prayer. In international practice, for example, in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, such hotels are equipped with special signs indicating the direction to the Kaaba, and all served food must be halal,” he noted.
