KUALA LUMPUR: South Korea is looking forward to cooperate with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) to venture into producing more South Korean halal food products to expand its market in Muslim countries.South Korean Ambassador to Malaysia, Cho Byungjae, said being the global hub for halal food industry, Malaysia was the ideal platform to spearhead South Korea’s vision to expand its halal food market. He said South Korea had projected an exponential growth in the halal industry considering that the global halal market stood at US$1.088 trillion in 2012, and this was expected to increase further in the future.
“We believe Korea and Malaysia can forge a very good partnership in this area (halal industry). With Korea’s manufacturing capability and with Malaysia moving ahead in this sector, if we can combine these two factors, I think we have a huge potential for further expansion.
“We are trying to go into the halal market and Malaysia is a very important market for our agriculture and food products…We want to penetrate countries in West Asia,” he told Bernama after the launching ceremony of K-Food Fair 2015 here, today.
Cho said South Korea’s exports of food products to Malaysia reached US$100 million last year. The K-Food Fair 2015 is an exciting food festivity featuring South Korean culinary delights and irresistible treats that cater specifically to the halal community. Organised by the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Corporation and officially endorsed by the Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the K-Food Fair 2015 consists of more than 10 exhibitors.
Among the cuisines featured are Bibimbap (mixed rice), Bulgogi (grilled marinated beef) and Kimchi (fermented vegetables). The K-Food Fair 2015 is held from Aug 14-16 at the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre. Malaysia is the first country to promote the K-Food Fair, which has now expanded to four other countries this year, namely China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Dubai (United Arab Emirates). – BERNAMA
