Malaysia: HDC’s first-of-its-kind Global Halal Support Centre (GHSC)

GEARING FOR GLOBAL HUBS: The country’s Halal Industry Development Corp (HDC), which launched the world’s first-of-its-kind Global Halal Support Centre (GHSC) yesterday, mulls setting up similar centres abroad. (From left) HDC chief executive officer Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin, Deputy Minister of Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MI TI) Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan, Minister of MI TI Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, HDC chairman Tan Sri Datuk Dr Syed Jalaludin Syed Salim and MI TI Secretary-General (Industries) Mohd Ridzal Sheriff at the launching of the GHSC in Petaling Jaya (pic: Shiddieqiin Zon)

The country’s Halal Industry Development Corp (HDC), which launched the world’s first-of-its-kind Global Halal Support Centre (GHSC) yesterday, is considering setting up similar centres abroad.

“We have already received requests from foreign countries to set up a similar facility in their country,” HDC chief executive officer Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin told reporters after the launch of GHSC by the Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya.

The Malaysian GHSC, costing RM2 million to build and develop, is a one-stop centre for functional services in support of the halal industry in line with the country’s aspiration to become the global halal hub.

“It is meant to offer comprehensive, integrated and knowledge-oriented services which we view as relevant and central to enhancing public understanding of halal and its expansionary development,” said Mustapa. “I am told that last year more than 140,000 people made use of the facilities.”

In a press statement, HDC said the centre offers wideranging services, including application processing and advisory, conference and exhibition, well-stocked Halal Knowledge Centre (HKC) and various channels of information dissemination on the halal concept — including a modern compendium of halal. Knowledge broadcasting services via cutting-edge technology such as mobile applications, i-Kiosk, widget, B2B (business-to-business ) portal, social media networking and “VIP meet & greet” services.

“An essential arm of the GHSC, the HKC houses the library, a huge resource of more than 6,500 reference materials, including books, reports, journals, newspaper clippings and research papers,” said the centre.

At the launch, GHSC also unveiled its new portal, an online medium which stores more than 700,000 database and market intelligence information covering topics and subjects such as food, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.