Malaysia: World Halal Conference to address global food security concerns

whc-main-portalKUALA LUMPUR, April 7 — The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) will host the World Halal Conference this week to address the escalating food security concerns worldwide.

Organised by the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC), the conference also aims to create a sustainable halal industry for future generations.

The conference expected see the participation of more than 600 delegates comprising halal industry experts, technocrats, governments as well as industry leaders and manufacturers worldwide, HDC said in a statement today.

Themed “Global Food Security-The Halal Perspective,” the two-day conference will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from April 9-10 in conjunction with World Halal Week 2014.

HDC Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin said now that Malaysia had laid the foundation and pillars for the halal industry, the corporation aimed to create and maintain the momentum via innovation.

“Every aspect of halal development is important to us and a clear recognition of a step forward is for the halal community to address global food security.

“Rising food prices, lower agriculture yield and non-halal contaminants are some of the food-related issues prevailing within the Muslim world today,” he said.

There was a dire need for synergised efforts among halal industry stakeholders in working towards one common objective, that is to address the halal food security crisis globally, he added.

Minister of MITI, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed is expected to attend the High Level Thought Leadership Panel Discussion, along with other international ministerial personalities.

Mustapa will also lead a halal business networking session with the representatives from Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Dubai.

Besides the main programmes, the conference will also organise plenary sessions including Investment Business Networking with Malaysian Industrial Development Authority, East Coast Economic Region, Iskandar Regional Development Authority, Northern Corridor Implementation Authority and Kedah Investment. — Bernama