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Malaysia Halal Industry Moving Into Second PhaseBy Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar
KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 (Bernama) -- Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) is focusing todevelop more industry players to ensure that the sector becomes a significantcontributor to the economy.
This formed the second phase of the Halal IndustryMasterplan rollout, HDC chief executive officer Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin toldBernama in an interview.
"Now we are moving into the second phase which isalso in line with the 10th Malaysia Plan and our mission is to focus ondeveloping industry players," Jamil said.
Over the near term, HDC planned to promote 20 successfullocal companies abroad so that they could get greater exposure and increasecommercialisation of their products catering for the global market, he said.
The Halal Industry Masterplan is a comprehensiveblueprint encompassing a three-phase roadmap for the development of thecountry's halal industry.
The plan has been divided into three phases, with thefirst phase from 2006 to 2010, second phase from 2011 to 2015 and third phasefrom 2016 to 2020.
HDC has made Malaysia as a reference centre by countriesfor matters relating to the industry in certification, standard development, training,and research and development.
Malaysian halal standards and halal logo have receivedworldwide recognition for maintaining excellence.
Jamil said HDC would join hands with other governmentagencies like SME Corp to enhance the capability of small and medium scaleentrepreneurs (SMEs) and develop them into competent suppliers.
"We will work with other government agencies acrossall sectors. We must nurture and develop SMEs through the provision offinancial and non-financial services to become bigger players and be exporterswho can generate more export revenue," he said.
HDC would continue support quality investment, eitherforeign direct investment or domestic investment, into the country's halalindustry through various promotion activities, Jamil said.
To date, there are 20 halal parks located throughout thecountry developed in cooperationwith the respective state governments and the private sector.
Those already in operation include the halal park in thePort Klang Free Zone, Selangor Halal Hub, Pedas Halal Park in Negeri Sembilan,Serkam Halal Food Park in Melaka and the Tanjung Manis Halal Hub in Sarawak.
In another development, HDC is organising the Third WorldHalal Research Summit 2010 in line with the effort to focus on a more holisticapproach to develop a "halal eco-system" to make Malaysia a globalhalal hub through research and development.
The three-day event from June 23 to 25 with the theme"Inspiring Innovation Through Halal Research" will be held at theKuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Jamil said the summit is expected to become a platformfor scientists, researchers, scholars and academicians to present, share andexchange ideas on new research findings, emerging technologies, product innovations,issues and challenges in the global halal industry.
"This event can foster the development ofknowledge-based human capital which is vital for the growth of the halalindustry in Malaysia and globally," he said.-- BERNAMA
