Malaysia: Govt calls on more bumiputera companies to venture into Halal industry

Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan.

PEDAS: The government calls on more bumiputra companies to venture into the halal industry as of their involvement is still low at the national and international levels.

Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan said that as at last year, bumiputra companies made up only 30% of 6,458 companies involved in the halal industry.

“Bumiputra involvement in the halal industry needs to be improved as halal products are synonymous with Islam and bumiputra.

“As this figure is inadequate, I hope more efforts can be done in the halal industrial parks to attract more bumiputra companies to participate,” he told reporters after visiting the Pedas Entrepreneurial Halal Production Park here today.

Ahmad said of 22 halal industrial parks nationwide, 14 had been accorded the Halmas certification by the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC).

With the Halmas status, operators, industry players and logistics service providers will be able to enjoy incentives, including tax holiday, to help existing and would be players in the halal industry, he added.

“A company operating in the Halmas-status halal industrial park can enjoy a 100% tax exemption for up to 10 years, depending on the capital outlay for its factory.

“Hence, I urge bumiputra companies to take advantage of the 14 Halmas-status halal industrial parks,” he said.

Halmas is an accreditation given to halal park operators who have successfully complied with the requirements and guidelines stipulated under the HDC-designated Halal Park Development.

It is a mark of excellence for parks that have noteworthy qualities; namely production of halal products with the highest quality, integrity and safety.

Until June 22, 165 companies were operating in 22 halal industrial parks throughout the country, with total investments of RM11.7 billion and 10,941 jobs created.

Present were Muslim Best Marketing (M) Sdn Bhd executive chairman Datuk Sheikh Ahmad Dusuki Sheikh Mohamad and Muslim Best executive director Datuk Nik Izani Nik Ibrahim. — Bernama