MARCH-APRIL . 2023 | @ Halal
Cover Story
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Dato ’ Seri Amirudin Shari Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub
Exhibitors from ESCAPE Penang . Islamic Tourism Centre booth .
Jardin Pharma booth .
as an International Halal Gateway , in line with the theme for SELHAC 2023 .
“ RS-1 is the first effort of its kind in Malaysia . Among the focus areas in the inaugural Selangor Plan was the halal industry , focusing on specific aspects which we believe have sufficient room to grow .
“ This administration has put building blocks in various sectors , including halal , automotive , aerospace , manufacturing , tourism , and others , to make sure Selangor remains one of the pillars of Malaysia ’ s economy , proving it with our contribution to the national GDP .”
Amirudin expressed his confidence in the growth of Selangor ’ s halal industry . He said SELHAC served as a vehicle for the Selangor government and its agencies in building a more dynamic and robust halal business ecosystem .
“ With the confidence and the plan of the State , supported by dedicated agencies like HIS and other Standing Committees that we have in Selangor , we have enough ingredients to make Selangor the regional gateway for everybody , including the halal industry .
“ We would like to work hand in hand with other agencies and departments to ensure that halal is not just about the hukm of halal and haram , but it as an industry that can help generate income for the community and society at large .
“ Promoting the halal economy is also a net positive for the environment as products should be ethically sourced , and animals should be treated humanely . In this aspect , the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) and Environmental , Social and Governance ( ESG ) benchmarks have much in common with halal values . Recognising these common values and standards will benefit Muslims and the global world , creating opportunities for enhancement ,” he added .
APPRECIATING HALAL PLAYERS
Recognising outstanding halal organisations and individuals , SELHAC 2023 also featured an appreciation dinner and Halal Awards ceremony , attended by Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living , Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub .
The Halal Industry Figure award was presented to Dr Abidin Hamid , who has been actively involved in the Halal Certification Committee at JAIS . Freshie ( M ) Sdn Bhd , a producer of cordial and juice , was recognised with the Halal Loyalty award . In contrast , the Halal Commitment award was given to Wipro Unza ( Malaysia ) Sdn Bhd , a manufacturer of personal care products .
SELHAC was first organised in March last year at the Shah Alam Convention Centre ( SACC ), with recorded transactions totalling RM37.73 million .
An array of opportunities
THE three-day SELHAC 2023 , offered various avenues and opportunities for businesses to participate in the growing halal industry . They included :
• Exhibitions - featuring over 200 exhibitors from six clusters : Food & Beverage , Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare , Halal Ingredients , Personal Care & Beauty , Tourism & Hospitality and Modest Fashion .
• Halal industry forums - focusing on the halal supply chain and market penetration to enable businesses to comprehend the final exportability frontiers .
• Halal seminars - covering Islamic finance , halal supply chain , and halal logistics to ensure standards compliance and boost the halal sector ’ s product and service value .
• Business matchings - generating new targeted and meaningful relationships for SMEs participating in the higher level of the halal value chain .
• Appreciation dinner and halal awards - recognising outstanding halal organisations and individuals
Islamic financial solutions for halal players
Mohd Muazzam Mohamed ( left ) and Rizal Yusof .
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SELHAC 2023 witnessed the exchange of the Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) between Halal International Selangor ( HIS ) and Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad . The partnership was significant and aimed at providing HIS clients with comprehensive support to develop the halal industry in Selangor , including access to halal training and development , financing , and digital solutions .
Bank Islam CEO Mohd Muazzam Mohamed and HIS CEO Mat Ghazali Abd Rakim represented their organisations .
Rizal Yusof , Director of SME Banking at Bank Islam , shared : “ Bank Islam is together with HIS in this halal initiative . The Bank and HIS collaborate to drive the halal certification for SMEs in Selangor . We enable this effort through our financing package , the GO Halal SME Financing .
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“ The second part will be on enabling the halal export of these SMEs . The Bank is committed to assisting these players to be export ready . Once they are export ready , they can export their products and services overseas .
“ Most SMEs are located in Selangor , the more reason for us to have this cooperation with HIS . We have a new product bundling solution called Selangor Halal SME Solution .”
Through this partnership , HIS clients can benefit from Bank Islam ’ s suite of offerings for SMEs , which includes Go Halal SME Financing , SME Exporter Financing , WinBiz ( Women in Business ), other SME Financing , SMEXpert mobile app , Business Current Account , SME iGAIN , Takaful , etc .
Bank Islam offers many exciting benefits for SME employees , including Al-Awfar , credit cards , the Go mobile
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app , will-writing , Takaful myMotor , Takaful myClick MediCare , and exclusive deals on the SMEXpert mobile app .
At the same time , HIS clients can access HIS ’ s offerings , such as HIS Digital Platform , capacity development , Halal Selangor Promotion , Halal Incubator , and a 5-Tier Programme , to support their growth and development in the halal industry .
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