Global Expansion Hope For Malaysia’s Halal Certification Standard
KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 (Bernama) — The halal certification standard used
by Malaysia will hopefully be expanded to other countries including
member nations of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC),
Minister of International Trade and Industry Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
said Monday.
He said the Malaysian standard has already been accepted and used
by Australia, New Zealand, China and Thailand — all of which export
halal meat to Malaysia.
This further strengthens Malaysia’s position in its efforts to
become a global halal hub, he told reporters after visiting the final
preparations being made for the upcoming Malaysia International Halal
Showcase 2008 (MIHAS 2008) at the MATRADE Exhibition and Convention
Centre here Monday.
“With this standard, Malaysia will be able to expand the usage to any country interested in adopting the standard.
“Therefore, the responsibility is in the hands of the Halal
Development Corporation (HDC) which was established by the government
to be responsible for the halal certification standard not only in the
country but at the international level,” Muhyiddin said.
“We hope its use will be expanded in the years to come,” he said.
HDC was recently given the responsibility of issuing Malaysia’s Halal Certificate which was previously carried out by JAKIM.
The minister also urged local entrepreneurs to use business
meetings conducted via the MIHAS platform to set up strategic
partnerships with developed foreign partners.
MIHAS 2008 which takes off here this Wednesday, is expected to see the participation of 490 local and foreign companies.
China is sending the largest delegation this time around, followed by Indonesia and Iran.
A total of 553 foreign buyers are expected at the annual event
which will showcase products from various sectors especially food and
beverages, pharmaceuticals and herbs, cosmetics and health care,
banking and financing as well as food processing and packaging machines.