SELANGOR ’ S Islamic Religious Affairs , Consumer Affairs and Halal Industry Committee ( Jawatankuasa Tetap Agama Islam , Pengguna Dan Industri Halal ) successfully went on a working visit to the United Kingdom ( UK ) from Feb 2 to 12 , 2022 .

Despite the high number of Covid-19 cases in the UK , Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni and his delegation managed to hold several meetings and visitations . They gained helpful knowledge and insight to expand the halal industry in Selangor to the international market . Official visits and meetings included :

• Meeting with Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation ( MATRADE ) Trade Commissioner , discussing initial views and information about trade relations between the UK and Malaysia , Malaysian goods entering the UK market and potential UK investments into Malaysia .

• Meeting with the High Commissioner of Malaysia to find the market potential of Selangor ’ s halal industry entering the UK and European markets and how to attract UK halal industry investors to invest in Selangor .

• Visit Cricklewood Supermarket ’ s Wing Yip Superstore to identify the range of Malaysian products with Malaysian Islamic Development Department ( JAKIM ) halal certification available in the market and the potential of bringing in Selangor halal goods through the same entrance . The potential of

selected items to be exported is estimated at RM100,000 .

• Meeting with several restaurant operators in the UK , discussing the potential of using Malaysian products and the challenges of running your own business in the UK , and exploring the potential of making Malaysian restaurants in the UK a place to sell Selangor halal products using “ shelf display ”. The market potential of goods ready to be marketed is estimated at RM100,000 .

• Meeting with the Director of the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board ( Tourism Malaysia ) to discuss the promotion of Selangor ’ s Muslim Friendly Tourism to UK and European citizens .

• A meeting with the Halal Food Authority ( HFA ) Chief Executive Officer to discuss “ Subject Matter Expert ” exchange collaboration between Halal International Selangor ( HIS ) and HFA and information sharing on halal awareness work carried out in the UK and Malaysia .

• Visit Malaysian Food Supermarket ( MFS ), and discussions aimed at making MFS an online importer and distributor of Selangor halal goods , and subsequently penetrate supermarkets in the UK such as Asda , Tesco , Idle Superstore and others . The potential of goods that can be marketed is estimated at RM200,000 .

• Meeting with Malaysians Tuan Musa Mohd Nor and his wife , who work at

Meeting with HMC .

Royal Mail and UK Customs , to gain key insights on bringing in Malaysian halal goods , which was previously said to be complicated .

• Meeting with Tahira Foods Limited ( TFL ) to discuss SOP and methods of food products to obtain halal certificates from the authorities . The initial estimate in the first year can reach RM100,000 .

• A Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) between the European Halal Development Agency ( EHDA ) and HIS was signed . EHDA will serve as a consultant to expand the Selangor halal goods market to the UK . EHDA also agreed to promote investment opportunities in Selangor in UK halal industries to Malaysia , such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics . The proposed investment in the proposed Halal Economic Zone is RM80 million .

• Meeting with the Halal Monitoring Committee ( HMC ) to understand the UK ’ s halal supply chain regulation and practice .

Meeting with HFA .

INSIGHTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The delegation gained key insights into the UK halal market based on the visits and meetings . As such , they have identified

and recommended several criteria for the Selangor Government to work on to facilitate seamless expansion and penetration of the State ’ s halal industry into the UK market ;

• Continue negotiating with various parties related to the halal industry in the United Kingdom for the continued development of the halal industry in Selangor .

• Work on the best method to ensure the success of Selangor ’ s halal products successfully exported to the UK .

• Hold discussions with the entrepreneurs ’ exco and the agriculture exco to coordinate foreign trade and marketing activities .

• Identify potential products to penetrate the international market and be used as a “ pilot project ” to market to the UK .

• Make deliveries via postal services to the UK to assess the effectiveness of the Selangor halal market in the UK . Importers must be active in market promotion to introduce Selangor products , such as participating in food carnivals in the UK .

• Identify funding through Grants to help Selangor halal products achieve packaging standards to be marketed abroad . – Special Edition