Fiji's interim Commerce Minister Taito Waradi said there is huge potential for Fiji to export "halaal" meat products to the Middle East.

And, there is also interest in Dubai for importing skilled workers from Fiji, Waradi told Fijilive, a local news service, Monday.

This follows a recent Investment and Trade mission to South Asia and Dubai made by Commerce ministry officials and members of the Fiji Islands Trade and Investment Board.

"Dubai similarly offered many opportunities for trade and investment for Fiji," said Waradi.

He said of particular interest to Fiji, is the interest of importing skilled workers from Fiji.

Fiji's economy has been slow down since the coup on Dec. 5. The interim government tries out to expand exports and labor market.

Waradi said the mission to South Asia saw Malaysia parties interested in investing in exporting beef and other meat products which are certified "halaal" to the Middle East.

Halaal meat are meat which is prepared specific to Islamic rites and Waradi said currently majority of halaal meat products into the Middle East comes from Australia.

He said that if the Malaysians begin exporting Fiji meats to the Middle East then the products will be certified by the Malaysian "Halaal" stamp and Middle Eastern consumers prefer goods from Muslim countries like Malaysia than Australia.

Waradi said there is also a need for Fiji to improve domestic conditions that need to be functioning properly to facilitate the meat industry before investors arrive in Fiji.