BANGI, Jan 8 — The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) specifically recognises the Islamic Development 
Department (Jakim)’s halal certifications, Deputy International Trade and Industries Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan said today.
Ahmad Maslan said that recognition was unprecedented as no other free trade agreements had acknowledged the local halal industry in this manner before.
“There is a clause in TPP that clearly mentions Jakim’s halal certifications,” Ahmad Maslan told reporters here after making a Halal Industrial visit at Dewina Food Industries’ factory.
“There is no need to worry, the halal industry is not affected by the TPP,” he said, saying that the recognition augured well for the sector.
The halal industry in Malaysia saw a 20 per cent increase in exports last year, growing to over RM 30 billion in value.
Ahmad said the target was now to reach RM50 billion in 2016.
The TPP is a free trade agreement that has been negotiated by the US, Malaysia and 10 other nations as part of the larger Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership since 2010.
On October 5, the countries concluded negotiations on the TPP. The governments must now seek their individual countries’ mandates to sign the deal.
Parliament will convene a special session this month to decide whether to sign the TPP.
