Malaysia: HDC commemorates several milestones over 7 years

imagesKUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 (Bernama) — As it commemorates its seventh year recently, Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) has chalked up several milestones as an international hub for the Halal industry by providing Malaysian and multi-national manufacturers, distributors, retailers, entrepreneurs, researchers and investors with comprehensive assistance to penetrate and serve a growing global Halal market through the adoption of the Malaysian experience and expertise in food and non-food sectors.

The milestones of great success for the Halal industry from HDC have been driven by a three-pronged high value-add strategy focused in Halal production, Halal trade and Halal services that brings about a high GDP value.

“For HDC, the strategic approach in championing Halal are in industry development, brand development and Halal integrity,” said Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Seri Jamil Bidin.

“Since 2010, more than 100 projects with an investment value of RM8 billion have been cultivated and nurtured through industry development. This is seen in capacity building, market access, branding and promotion, and access to financing. In the first half of this year alone, we exported over RM16 billion worth of Halal products and services.

HDC has facilitated over 700 local Halal companies going global through its Halal Business Transformation Program (HBT) with multinational hypermarkets and corporations including Parkson, Aeon Jusco, Giant, Aeon BIG, Felda D’Saji, LuLu and Angkasa. This effort has generated sales of RM850 million. The HBT program was also recently awarded as the best “Outcome Program” at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry level evaluated by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Through Halal Parks, HDC has continuously facilitated growth of the Malaysian Halal industry in communities of Halal-oriented businesses built on common property where they are provided infrastructure and service support.

To date, there are 13 HDC accredited (HALMAS Status) Halal Parks throughout the country that has attracted investments valued at USD 1.8 billion. HDC has helped make Halal parks become a landmark in Malaysia by attracting foreign companies, particularly multi-national corporations, to invest in the 20 Halal parks located across the country. Among them are companies with significant investments from Japan and Taiwan.

Among the leading multinational corporations at these Halal Parks are brands such as Kellogg, Kewpie, Cargill, Coca Cola, Pure Circle, Oleon and PML Dairies.

HDC has also been actively working on capacity building initiatives designed to support the Malaysian government’s agenda in developing the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as the engine of growth and innovation in the country. This is in line with the policies outlined by the National SME Development Council (NSDC) chaired by the Prime Minister.

HDC was also actively engaged in the set up to drive and facilitate the growth of key Halal industry sectors or clusters as identified in the Halal Industry Master Plan. These clusters include Specialty Processed Food, Halal Ingredients, Cosmetic & Personal Care and Animal Husbandry.

The potential development of these clusters are imperative in making Halal the new source of economic growth, and realizing Malaysia’s aspiration to become the Global Halal Hub by 2020.

In promoting Halal innovation and commercialization, HDC has organized the World Halal Research Summit which for several years has attracted industry players from both the national and international fronts, governments, agencies, and the academia.

Today, in making Malaysia the reference center for Halal knowledge, HDC has established the Global Halal Support Centre (GHSC).

“The establishment of GHSC One Touch Point is a testament to our commitment and aspiration in translating the vision of Malaysia in becoming a renowned Global Halal Hub and strategically positions itself as the world preferred Halal business location,” said Dato’ Sri Jamil.

In ensuring the success of the Halal industry growth and expansion, HDC has provided for training and consultancy in Halal. More than 50,000 people have been trained and over 1,000 are Halal executives.

Malaysia has the most complete Halal eco-system in the world and is recognized as the global hub and a leading authority in Halal by the international community. HDC was established on 18 September 2006 with the objective of coordinating the overall development of the Halal industry in Malaysia for both the domestic and international markets.

ABOUT HALAL INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION SDN BHD (HDC)

Halal Means Business

The Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) was established on 18 September 2006 with the express objective of coordinating the overall development of the Halal industry in Malaysia for both the domestic and international markets. HDC is an agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI).

HDC is Malaysia’s holistic response to the worldwide demand for better quality products and services as consumers gain confidence in the Halal process. Its key thrusts are to grow and advance the development of Halal standards; facilitate capacity- building for Halal products and services; and promote growth and participation of Malaysian companies in the multi-trillion dollar global Halal market and industry. Today, there is an estimated population of 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide. The global Halal market is currently estimated at USD2.3 trillion covering both food and non-food sectors.

In its effort to serve as an international hub for the halal industry, HDC provides manufacturers, distributors, retailers, entrepreneurs, researchers and investors with comprehensive assistance to penetrate and serve a growing global Halal market through the adoption of the Malaysian experience and expertise in food and non-food sectors. For more information, please visit HDC at – www.hdcglobal.com.