HalalTradeZone.com is an answer to the unfulfilled need of Muslims who want to consume only quality Halal products and services, says Noor Mohammed, CEO of halaltradezone.com. Muallim Magazine interviewed Noor Mohammed. Excerpts:
Gives us a brief profile of yours?
I was born and brought up in Bangalore, I am 25 years old and I have a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with specialization in International Business. I am the founder & CEO of HalalTradeZone.com and Partner & Director at Zunairah Commerce LLP.
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Noor Mohammed
How did HalalTradeZone.com come into existence, what is the purpose behind it?
Back in 2009 I was thinking about starting a venture which would be unique and which would serve a purpose in the society.
So I contemplated and researched about the venture in which the need of the Muslim Ummah could be fulfilled. Alhamdulillah, in the blessed month of Ramadhan I got this idea to create a portal for Businesses and Consumers keeping Halal aspect in mind. Thus HalalTradeZone.com came into existence in September 2009. Through our portal businesses can connect with each other and reach out to Muslim consumers locally and globally.
How different is HalalTradeZone.com from other B2B and B2C online portals?
Well, In India, internet penetration is growing phenomenally. The marketers have started taking online presence seriously. The other available online B2B and B2C portals are quite generic and HalalTradeZone.com is a niche vertical with focus and promotion of only Halal products and services for the benefit and consumption of 180 million plus Indians and over 2 billion Muslims globally.
HalalTradeZone.com is an answer to the unfulfilled need of Muslims who want to consume only quality Halal products and services and on HalalTradeZone.com we only accommodate products and services that are Halal certified by a competent authority.
You have streamlined your offerings. Is there enough demand for such a product?
I am offering a niche vertical. A niche product with a unique selling preposition will always be in demand. There are many Indian companies that are manufacturing products that are Halal and have obtained Halal certificate to market their product in the Muslim majority countries - without which it is not acceptable to the consumers there. The only thing I am waiting for is the launch month, March 2013. Once in place, I am sure it will pick the desired interest among users and marketers.
What are the challenges for HalalTradeZone.com?
It is in a nascent stage with lots of potential in terms of benefit to suppliers and the buyers. The immediate challenge is to make this brand a well-known entity among the business and consumer class. With our marketing and tie up strategies we will be able to achieve it in stipulated time.
If a client wants to associate himself with HalalTradeZone.com, he will get access or can target only a section of the audience i.e. Muslims. How do you deal with this situation?
In business, marketers don’t identify a person based on his religion, for him an individual is only a consumer. And HalalTradeZone.com is not only serving Muslim community, but a large segment who want to consume healthy and Halal products. If this consumption need is fulfilled it can increase the business and consumer satisfaction tremendously.
And if you are talking about Muslims, I want to share an interesting fact that was revealed by the US-based PEW research centre. The finding said Muslims as a consumer are more loyal to a brand if it fulfills their religious needs, and brand loyalty is what a marketer looks for?
What is the future of such a niche products?
Our research says that such a vertical has a good future. Halal in today’s time is a multibillion dollar market and will grow by leaps and bound in the future.
Some tips to our readers and aspiring entrepreneurs?
Do what you love and love what you do. Look for the unfulfilled need in the society and create something which will fulfill the need in the best possible way. Have good and optimistic people around you and stay away from pessimists.
Keep yourself updated with the latest developments in the area of your business, work hard and have strong faith in the help of the Almighty.
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