PM launches Muslim lifestyle e-commerce platform

DUBAI: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak today launched Zilzar.com, the world's first Muslim Lifestyle Marketplace e-commerce platform for trade, content and community for the massive US$2.5 trillion (RM8.25 trillion) Muslim consumer market.
He hoped it can be as successful as Alibaba in the Chinese market, taking global halal trading to a new and exciting level.
"The environment and conditions are perfect for this innovative partnership for economic growth," he said at the launch held in conjunction with the 10th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF), here.
He said there are more than 1.8 billion Muslims living in 150 countries, and their appetite for e-commerce is strong and growing.
Noting that the Islamic market is larger than China's and growing faster than Amazon and e-Bay combined, he said: "What Alibaba is to the Chinese market, Zilzar.com can be for the Muslim lifestyle sector, creating new businesses and jobs, and bringing Islamic finance to new markets."
Najib said the new online platform is designed to make it easier for halal traders worldwide to conduct business online ethically and efficiently.
"It is free to use and will connect millions of consumers while offering businesses a slice of the US$2.5 trillion Muslim lifestyle market.
"The halal industry encompasses everything from food to pharmaceuticals. But its small and medium enterprises in particular are globally dispersed. They are crying out for greater connectivity, and clearer and more concise information about market access and opportunities," said Najib, who is WIEF patron.
Noting that this year's WIEF is focused on "Innovative Partnerships for Economic Growth", he said Zilzar.com is a perfect example of such partnership coming together for the common good of the halal industry and Islamic finance.
Overall, he said the halal market economy is worth US$7 trillion, the fourth largest economic bloc in the world. – Bernama