@Halal January/February 2022 | Page 2

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@ Halal | January-February . 2022

Contents

| @ Halal says ... |
p04-05
Rejuvenating Muslim-friendly tourism for the future WITC brings exciting discussions on Islamic Tourism beyond the pandemic
p06
Empowering SMEs CIMB Islamic and KLSCCCI ’ s webinar series engages for sustainable growth
p07
BIMB issues fourth tranche Subordinated sukuk murabahah is worth RM300 million
p08
Turkey eyes US $ 7 trillion market 1.86 billion Muslims in 57 Islamic nations now have accurate information about what they produce and consume
p09
Global Haltech in tripartite agreement Halal global collaboration between Global Haltech , Vietnam Halal Center and TPM Nexus Sdn Bhd

New year , new worries

LIFE HAS resumed as usual for many of us .
From the last few months until now , Malaysians have got to enjoy and experience things they had missed for the past two years . They are free to reunite with family members , go on a vacation , dine-in and return to the office . They have no more prolonged stringent restrictions which interrupt their social life , at least for now .
The economic activities , including those in the halal sector , are looking great . Conferences and exhibitions were held physically , such as the 8th OIC Halal Expo , Selangor International Business Summit ( SIBS ) 2021 and Expo 2020 Dubai , bringing more values and investments into the country .
People have adapted well to the fact that this Covid-19 virus is not going to disappear anytime soon magically . Everything is now open for business !
Well , just put on your mask , and life goes on . If multiple State elections could be held physically last year , nothing seemed impossible to do this year .
However , let ’ s face reality . The new year - 2022 , is not off to an excellent start . Omicron , the latest variant of the coronavirus , has become the culprit that postponed Malaysians ’ umrah trip to Saudi Arabia . Starting Jan 8 , the journey to the kingdom for umrah pilgrimages will be temporarily suspended until later .
The government decided this in light of the increasing positive cases of Covid-19 among the returnees involving the Omicron variant . The announcement of the travel suspension to Saudi Arabia has received mixed reactions from the public .
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin made it clear that no Muslim minister would want to do it on purpose , saying the government had no choice but to suspend the travel due to the worrying rise in cases .
That is understandable . Such a decision is essential to curb virus transmission , but what does this say about how things will be in 2022 ?
Will the government continue implementing the same measures , and will such a decision eventually affect the whole tourism sector again ?
Alas , it seems like this year , too , will be a year of uncertainties . Hopefully , things will get better moving forward . Otherwise , it will be like the meme going around social media - it will be ‘ 2020 too ’, not 2022 .
COVER STORY p10-11
Building a concrete ecosystem Selangor government to strengthen its halal industry through advocacy and strategic partnership
p12-13
Showcasing Malaysia ’ s halal businesses Malaysia Showcase at OIC Halal Expo 2021 generates more than US $ 6 million in potential sales , surpassing the initial target
p14
Open to opportunities Entrepreneurs will benefit by tapping into Eurasia region
p16
Halal F & B to boost economy Sector can boost State and national economies significantly
p17
PM : We will be savvier Strengthening management of halal meat imports