@Halal May/June 2023 | Page 7

Providing value-added services ETHIS Malaysia & Sapura Bluedome to spur Malaysia ’ s Shariah-focused entrepreneurship
MAY-JUNE . 2023 | @ Halal

Local News

07

Providing value-added services ETHIS Malaysia & Sapura Bluedome to spur Malaysia ’ s Shariah-focused entrepreneurship

Labuan IBFC Inc and Qatar Financial Centre Authority enhance strategic partnership

ETHIS Malaysia , a prominent Shariah-compliant equity crowdfunding platform that promotes ethical investment for startups and businesses , has joined forces with Bluedome Mines , a distinguished entrepreneurship hub under Sapura Resources Berhad , to fuel the growth of Shariah-focused startups and entrepreneurship in Malaysia .

This strategic collaboration aims to provide a conducive environment and valueadded services and offerings to emerging entrepreneurs , such as access to capital and mentorship , to empower the next generation of ethical and Shariah-driven ventures .
Bluedome Mines offers a comprehensive suite of services , including co-working spaces , business mentoring , networking opportunities , and funding access , which enable entrepreneurs to incubate their businesses from ideation to maturity .
With ETHIS Malaysia ’ s expertise in dealing with various grassroots impactful entrepreneurs ranging from multiple sectors and operating Shariah-compliant equity crowdfunding , the partnership extends a more significant proposition beyond financing options to entrepreneurs to market access , capacity-building opportunities , and ancillary business value-added services . Together , the partnership will synergise their strengths to create a dynamic entrepreneurship ecosystem in Malaysia .
The strategic collaboration event was held during a Ramadan Tahseen evening iftar dinner at Bluedome Mines on Apr 12 , 2023 . The event featured an insightful sharing from Mufti Yousuf Sultan , CEO and Founder of ADL Advisory , a globally recognised Shariah advisory entity based in Malaysia . Sultan imparted invaluable insights into the crucial role played by Shariah-compliant businesses in the current business landscape and emphasised the importance of ethical investment practices guided by the Shariah principles .
Wan Dazriq Wan Zulkiflee , CEO of ETHIS Malaysia , expressed his delight about this milestone in the company ’ s mission to circulate good and democratise access to capital for entrepreneurs . He noted that the partnership
with Sapura Resources ’ Bluedome Mines would offer entrepreneurs a comprehensive support ecosystem , enabling them to actualise their vision and create value for society .
Syed Haroon Alsyatrie , the Head of Property at Sapura Resources Berhad , shares core values with ETHIS Malaysia . Haroon emphasised that this partnership , in turn , will enable both entities to efficiently tap into the vast Malaysian SMEs and mass market segments , thereby further strengthening and supporting the Shariah-focused entrepreneurship development in the country .
The partnership comes at a critical juncture when entrepreneurship in Malaysia is witnessing a surge , with a burgeoning number of startups across various sectors . The collaboration between ETHIS Malaysia and Bluedome Mines is poised to contribute significantly to this trend . It offers entrepreneurs a range of financial and non-financial resources , helping them overcome the hurdles of raising capital and scaling their businesses . –
Wan Dazriq Wan Zulkiflee and Syed Haroon Alsyatrie .
LABUAN IBFC Incorporated Sdn Bhd ( Labuan IBFC Inc .), the official marketing agency for the Labuan International Business and Financial Centre ( Labuan IBFC ) has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) with Qatar Financial Centre Authority ( QFCA ), which is responsible for the development and promotion of Qatar Financial Centre .
The non-binding MoU , signed on the sidelines of the Qatar Economic Forum , is valid for three years .
Labuan IBFC Inc . and QFCA previously signed an MoU in 2021 . During this period , both signatories collaborated on market development and promotional initiatives . Following the success of these programmes , both parties decided to renew the MoU to enable further exploration of mutual benefits .
The renewed MoU , which was signed by Datuk Iskandar Mohd Nuli , Executive Chairman cum CEO of Labuan IBFC Inc ., and Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida , Chief Executive Officer of QFCA , signifies a commitment towards the identification and subsequent collaboration on shared market development activities .
Both financial centres agreed to cooperate on Islamic finance , digital finance , capital market and captive insurance , which are also the key focus areas for Labuan IBFC as outlined in the Labuan IBFC 2022-2026 Strategic Roadmap .
Iskandar commented : “ This strategic partnership will further generate greater exposure and awareness of Labuan IBFC in the MENA region .
“ Labuan IBFC Inc . is confident that both financial centres ’ shared commonality comprising a sound legal framework and adherence to global financial standards will be an ideal platform for intermediaries looking to establish their presence in the Asian and MENA regions .
“ We look forward to working closely with QFCA to deepen our collaboration in a meaningful manner further .” –

Providing confidence to Muslim customers

FAMILYMART Malaysia , a convenience store chain , has ceased the sale of alcoholic beverages in all of its 360 stores to provide confidence to Muslim customers to shop without any doubts . This decision ensures all customers can shop and dine without apprehension at their outlets .
The managing director of QL Maxincome Sdn Bhd , Chia Lik Khai , stated that the sale of alcoholic beverages has only contributed minimally to their business , and they are relying on their food and beverages to cover the sales omission .
FamilyMart Malaysia recently launched its new concept store , FamiCafé , the first convenience store café in Malaysia to receive halal certification from the Malaysian Islamic Development Department ( JAKIM ). The café serves halal drinks and ready-to-eat food prepared in-house , and the company plans to open 50 FamiCafés by the end of this year and achieve halal status for 300 FamiCafés by 2025 .
To ensure customers ’ satisfaction , FamilyMart will undergo halal audits according to JAKIM ’ s guidelines , and the process has already started at two other stores located around Klang Valley .
Moreover , FamilyMart Malaysia ’ s food preparation centre has been recognised as halal by JAKIM since 2019 , and as of Apr 30 , 172 FamilyMart brand food products were registered as halal on JAKIM ’ s official halal portal . –