Malaysia,
which is acknowledged for its internationally recognised halal
certification, is set to help Bosnia- Herzegovina (Bosnia) to develop
its first halal park in the country, says Halal Industry Development
Corp (HDC) Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin.
Both parties yesterday signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Kuala Lumpur, to develop the halal
park, which would be a halal product and service trade centre in
Bosnia.
Under the MOU, HDC will also assist and guide Bosnia
to draw up its own halal standards as well as undertake training for
their officers in halal certification, he said at a media briefing at
the opening of the Fourth World Halal Forum 2009 in Kuala Lumpur.
The 20ha halal park, to be sited in the
northeast of Bosnia will be developed by the Sirbegovic Group, a
prominent construction group there, which will invest €100 million
(RM472 million) to develop the park.
Malaysian businessmen should seize the
many opportunities in Bosnia, as it could pave the way for the
companies to tap the markets to other countries in Europe, particularly
when Bosnia becomes part of the European Union (EU), within the next
five years, he said.
Meanwhile, Sirbegovic Group President,
Faruk Sirbegovic said Malaysian companies should seize the
opportunities to supply to the halal market in Bosnia valued at €5
billion a year and the potentially bigger EU market, following its free
trade agreement with EU members.
He cited the halal poultry,
food, cosmetic, logistic services and Islamic banking services, as some
of the areas with huge markets in Bosnia.
Adapted from NST Business Times, 5 May 2009
