Dubai - Dubai Exports, a company operating under the UAE Department of Economic Development, is compiling an online index to list all UAE-based halal firms, covering financial institutions and companies offering Islamic services in Dubai. "This index will boost the businesses of these firms by promoting local industries and products and by providing these businesses with new export opportunities across new markets," said Saeed al-Awadi, CEO of Dubai Exports.Halal companies are firms which produce, market and distribute products that are compliant with Islamic law.Al-Awadi said the latest initiative is part of the government's plan to position Dubai as the center of a global Islamic economy in two years. He added that this index will facilitate the growth of Dubai's halal exports, which are expected to lead the region soon. "This index will be a good platform for all halal firms in the UAE [to increase their business] opportunities," al-Awadi said.With Muslim consumer expenditure globally on food and lifestyle sectors at about $1.62 trillion in 2012 and expected to reach $2.47 trillion by 2018, al-Awadi pointed to the need to boost this business sector by providing suitable infrastructure and services. Dubai Exports is looking to boost the emirate's exports by 20 percent this year through the expansion to new markets. "The infrastructure and facilities are already in place to provide simple exports to our local companies wanting to enter new markets," he said.