november-december . 2020 | @ Halal

05 ensure that there is enough halal and tayyib food for the entire society .

“ And within today ’ s globalised world , that could mean for the entire global population ,” said Muhyiddin .

“ As a Muslim nation with an advanced halal industry , Malaysia is open to work with all countries to further enhance and grow the global halal sector , especially in the areas of Islamic finance , logistics and services .”

To date , Malaysia is one of the main sources of reference for over 150 countries in various areas within halal industry development and governance . Malaysia is also recognised by 84 foreign halal certifiers in 46 countries around the world .

In terms of infrastructure , Malaysia is moving up the value chain to become a high-technology , knowledge-based and capitalintensive powerhouse , incorporating design as well as research and development activities .

From halal product traceability to Islamic finance facilities , Malaysia is able to provide end-to-end halal services for any type of producers or manufacturers .

Malaysia is also home to one of the world ’ s first halal parks - communities of halaloriented businesses built on common property , where they are provided infrastructure , services support and tax incentives .

In terms of carrying the role as a Global

Centre of Excellence for Halal Professionals and Halal Training , HDC alone has trained more than 60,000 individuals since 2007 , both locally and abroad , with more than 250,000 trained collectively with other parties .

A wide variety of research institutes have also been established , which have played a leading role in advocating for contemporary halal issues .

“ That said , I believe that the local halal industry still has a huge potential for growth . The Halal Industry Development Council ( HIDC ) established by the government has an important role to drive and oversee the entire Halal Malaysia ecosystem with the aim of making Malaysia a global halal hub ,” Muhyiddin added .

More competitive environment

The plan is to position Malaysia as a primary destination for smart manufacturing globally and attract more high-tech investments .

According to Muhyiddin , the government is committed to further strengthen the country ’ s infrastructure and reinforce halal ’ s contribution to the country ’ s economy , which accounts for 7.8 per cent of the country ’ s GDP , and created over 350,000 new jobs for its citizens .

Another area which Malaysia is wellpositioned to benefit from and be actively part of , is the ASEAN internet economy - estimated to reach US $ 300 billion by 2025 .

The setting up of Halal Integrated Platform ( HIP ) is in line with this prospect , which will connect members to key stakeholders , including State governments and agencies , certification bodies , industry players , practitioners , scholars and consumers - all under a single halal digital community platform .

He further made the timely call to all neighbouring countries within the 11 ASEAN member countries and the 21 APEC member economies , to work together and help produce its own halal food and be less dependent on imports .

“ I would also like to reaffirm Malaysia ’ s willingness to work with other nations especially within ASEAN , on increasing our self-sufficiency in halal food . This call should also go beyond halal food to include halal pharmaceuticals , halal medical devices and even halal ingredients .

“ As the current Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ( APEC ), I would also like to call on all APEC economies to collaborate with Malaysia to make halal products more readily available , affordable and sustainable for the 1.8 billion global Muslim population .

“ I have no doubt that together , we can fully leverage this opportunity and help to lay the foundation for greater growth and progress within the halal economy ,” Muhyiddin concluded .

The second part is on the mutual support between Malaysia and Australia .

Goledzinowski said : “ We are now looking to work with Malaysia about upgrading our bilateral relationship to have a more comprehensive strategic partnership by the end of this year .

“ That will include many areas of enhanced cooperation , and one of them is in this area . We are working very closely with JAKIM to find ways to ensure Australian products to Malaysia are competitive , reliable and compliant to halal .”

To maintain the market of halal and making sure it is sustainable , halal needs to be placed on a business footing , that is by making the halal products transparent , reliable , predictable and consistent . Secondly is accomplishing food security .

As Goledzinowski clearly stated , the barriers for Australia lies not on the standard of halal , but rather on being consistent , predictable and reliable . He reckoned it was the role of Australia to work with Malaysia and ensure its food security continued to increase , and the halal food supply chain of clean , green and wholesome was uninterrupted .

On another note , Russia is looking forward to broader collaboration with Malaysia in the halal industry .

Latypov mentioned , besides expanding its export of agricultural products to Malaysia , knowing it has the potential capabilities and substantive technologies , Russia is ready to collaborate in the production of its Covid-19 vaccine .

“ Russia is not only ready to send the vaccine to other countries ; we are ready to share our technologies to make efforts to produce it here ( in Malaysia ).”

Latypov said the vaccine was in the third stage of a clinical trial . The trial is expected to be completed end of October or beginning of November .

BY CAMILIA REZALI

On Oct 6 , 2020 , the theme “ Halal Community Driving the New World Economy ” was brought to the floor for this year ’ s 12th World Halal Conference ( WHC2020 ) by Halal Development Corporation ( HDC ).

The one-day hybrid conference held at Malaysian International Trade and Exhibition Centre ( MITEC ) successfully carried out five sessions revolving on the role of the halal players at different stages in the halal eco-system .

The discussions highlights on the transition towards sustainable consumption and production following the global pandemic to pave the way towards the New World Economy .

A breakdown in the economic supply chain has presented wider opportunities for the industry to recalibrate and reinvent programs , making the future more viable .

HDC Chairman Datuk Mahmud Abbas highlighted that the worldwide pandemic caused consumers to have a change in behaviour – primarily in term of purchasing behaviour and a shift in the way they live , where hygiene and cleanliness became paramount .

“ This crisis is teaching more consumers about the importance of clean and safe products , which is sure to what halal is offering . I have a very positive feeling about this , and I would like to urge SMEs to invest more in marketing after the crisis is over .

“ Simultaneously , it had accelerated consumer ’ s transition to digital consumption , pulling forward the movement towards the New World Economy . It is an opportune time for WHC2020 to discuss on how the community will take the lead in bringing the halal industry centre-stage globally .

“ The Malaysian halal industry is forecasted to contribute approximately seven per cent to the country ’ s GDP for 2019 and 7.8 per cent in 2020 . Malaysia registered a total halal export value by certified halal exporters of RM40.2 billion , a slight increase from RM40 billion in the previous year , backed by higher imports from the United States ,” said Mahmud .

With other halal emerging markets comprising pharmaceutical , cosmetics and personal care , medical devices and travel compounding to the growing opportunities , he added the industry was expected to show an increase in demand due to the change in consumer behaviour .

HDC introduced HIP as a digital halal community platform to connect members to the key stakeholders including government and state agencies , certified bodies , industry players , practitioners , scholars and consumers . The main objective is to ensure the presence of a transition of halal community onto the New World Economy .

The platform also intended to create a marketplace to promote halal products and services that will ultimately outspread internationally and cross the border trades . HDC will work with Japan , South Korea and Taiwan to certify Muslim-friendly products in their hyper malls , convenience stores and markets .