UAE investment park Dubai Industrial City (DIC) has launched a new halal cluster aimed at driving the growth of the emirate’s Islamic economy, including halal food, cosmetics and personal care sectors.

The halal cluster is spread across 6.8 million square feet (629,000 square metres) and will be the centre of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum’s vision for the emirate to become the capital of the global Islamic economy.

Muslim consumers spend more than $1 trillion on food and more than $26bn on cosmetics and personal care each year, according to DIC. This is expected to increase 50 per cent in the coming five years to $1.6 trillion and $39bn respectively.

The halal cluster was launched by DIC on 23 February, supported by the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre. It will join DIC’s existing clusters in machinery and mechanical equipment, transport equipment and parts, base metals, chemicals, food and beverage, and mineral products.