By Jailani Hassan
LABUAN, June 10 (Bernama) — The Ministry of Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing is in the midst of obtaining the nod from the Finance Ministry on the memorandum of association pertaining to the setting up of a company to run the RM86 million Labuan Halal Distribution Hub.
Its secretary-general, Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib, told Bernama the company, Labuan Halal Trace Malaysia, would be registered once the ministry gave the nod.
“We have discussed the establishment of the company with the staff to be recruited from Labuan Corp itself,” he said.
Ahmad Phesal said a dedicated team would be tasked to headhunt potential clients to lease lots within the halal hub building.
Meanwhile, FT Minister, Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin, said the hub, with its stringent and high quality standards, would be able to raise the name of Labuan in the international arena just like it happened with the status of International Business and Financial Centre given to it in the early 90s.
He said this to reporters after addressing the monthly assembly with government departments and agencies here today.
Meanwhile, the hub at Kiansam, once it is fully operational, will be the centre of distribution for Malaysian halal products both for the domestic and international market.
The hub project was planned considering the rich ocean resources of the island which could be produced into food products and pharmaceuticals both for Muslims and non-Muslims.
The project will cover an area totalling 25 hectares.
Among the important components in the development of the first phase will be the prototype system for halal identification and verification, strategic business plan, and other facilities such as processing centre, cold storage, laboratory and offices.
— BERNAMA