KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has established the Halal Secretariat, dedicated to driving the growth of the halal industry in the region and beyond.
The creation of the secretariat, which was announced at the end of the inaugural Asean Halal Roundtable Dialogue, demonstrated a collective commitment by representatives of Asean member states to strengthen the halal industry.
It is expected to play a crucial role in coordinating regional efforts and ensuring the industry’s long-term development and success.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Zulkifli Hasan described the establishment of the Halal Secretariat as a highly forward-thinking and voluntary initiative by the industry itself.
“I believe that this effort will serve as a catalyst for the empowerment agenda of the halal industry at both the Malaysia and Asean levels,” he said during a press conference following the roundtable today.
Zulkifli added that Malaysia will host numerous conferences next year, not only for Asean but also for Asean Plus and other international forums.
He emphasised that halal is a primary agenda for the country, and the government plans to further enhance the halal industry’s contribution to Malaysia’s economy, thereby boosting the country’s gross domestic product.
Earlier, in his opening speech at the event, the Prime Minister’s senior political secretary Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin said the event is significant in addressing the opportunities and challenges in one of the fastest-growing industries in the global economy.
“Over the past two decades, the halal sector has evolved beyond its traditional association with only food and beverages.
“Today, it encompasses a wide range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, logistics, tourism, and much more,” he said.
The one-day programme, organised by the Selangor chapter of the Malaysian Islamic Chamber of Commerce, brought together around 100 representatives from the chambers of commerce of each Asean member country.
One of the highlights was a proposal to establish this event as a focal point for Asean countries’ chambers of halal industries, creating a dedicated platform for these chambers to collaborate on establishing and expanding halal businesses within their respective nations.
The dialogue also underscored the importance of establishing a halal data supply-and-demand system to facilitate better market insights and more efficient resource allocation.
— Bernama
