Malaysia: HDC to enhance digitalisation, enhance marketability

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 4  — The Halal Development Corporation Bhd (HDC) will continue to focus on the digitalisation of the halal industry to increase the marketability of local halal products while strengthening the halal integrity.

This would also help create more skilled halal workers in the sector, especially in the food and non-food industries such as cosmetics and pharmaceutical, it said in a statement today.

“This includes the use of several technologies to enhance halal detection capabilities and the production of alternative ingredients to replace ingredients that are not halal or doubtful,” said HDC.

As the coordinator of the halal ecosystem development, HDC said it will strive to facilitate the participation of industry players in the halal economy as well as boost exports and investments into halal industrial areas.

“This year, HDC will further strengthen cooperation with the agencies under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, especially the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, the Malaysian Institute of Automotive, Robotics and IoT and SIRIM to strengthen the Malaysian halal ecosystem.

“Meanwhile, in terms of empowering the halal certification and enforcement system, HDC is ready to share its expertise and shoulder the responsibilities together with the relevant agencies to create a system that is trusted by global consumers,” it said.

Last year, HDC said more than 600 companies took part in various programmes it had organised regarding the development of the supply chain for halal products, in collaboration with various multinational and major local companies.

“More than 300 companies are currently in the final screening process to become quality suppliers in the local and foreign markets,” it said.

It added that close to 1,000 individuals had also completed their training as halal executives and auditors via the HDC Halal Training Institute’s training programmes.

“These are individuals with high competencies to ensure that the halal integrity is maintained throughout the supply chain.

“They are now ready for placements in local halal factories or premises, and the rest will follow elective programmes before being sent abroad to explore professional career opportunities at the global level,” it said.

On the HALMAS industrial areas, HDC said it had managed to attract potential investments totalling close to RM400 million, bringing the total cumulative investments to more than RM15 billion since 2010.

“HDC will also continue to collaborate with countries which offer huge potentials — especially Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China — to explore new markets for local small and medium-sized enterprises, namelthose which had participated in programmes organised by HDC,” it added. — BERNAMA