Malaysia at forefront of global Halal sector

Malaysia is now at the forefront of the global Halal sector and the local small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) sector should use this to secure better market penetration for their Halal products and services.

Malaysian Minister of Domestic Trade, Co-Operatives and Consumerism, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the trend towards promoting halal food and non-food sectors is gaining traction in many countries and more companies are open to the idea of participating in this halal sector.

By using the various Halal standards developed for food, cosmetics, personal care products, logistics as well as pharmaceuticals, the SME sector should capitalise and try to secure wider international halal markets.

“Halal is more than just certification to meet Syariah requirements. It is now about a strategic value proposition, and a very profitable business model,” he said during the launch of the International Halal Showcase (MIHAS 2011) and World Halal Research Summit (WHRS 2011).

He added that developments in agriculture especially palm oil present far-reaching opportunities for Halal food manufacturing and related downstream activities, providing tangible opportunities for expanding the Halal industry.

Also present was Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, who said through policy initiatives and programmes introduced by the government and private sector, Malaysia is now at the forefront of the Halal industry.

“MIHAS is our flagship programme for the international promotion of the halal industry. Since its establishment, Mihas has elevated itself into a truly international exhibition for the industry,” Mukhriz said.

A total of 401 exhibitors from 32 countries are participating in MIHAS this year.

Meanwhile, Malaysia will become the first Islamic nation to supply frozen halal broiler chicken to Oman, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

This followed the signing of a RM120 million first phase contract to supply broiler chicken between local supplier, Mutiara Bernas (M) Sdn Bhd, and Global Food Solutions LLC based in Muscat, Oman.

The contract along with related developments are expected to generate foreign direct investments totalling RM100 million, he told reporters after witnessing the contract signing at Putrajaya.

Nor Mohamed said Oman would also become the entry point to Gulf countries which previously imported meat chicken from South America and Europe, with oman alone buying some 76,000 metric tonnes a year.

Eighty per cent of Oman’s food requirements are imported, he said.

Adapted from BERNAMA

Posted by admin on 06.04.2011. Filed under H-EVENTS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry