November-December . 2022 | @ HalalSpecial Edition

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Meeting with Malaysian Embassy Officials in Jakarta , Indonesia .

SELANGOR ’ S Islamic Religious Affairs , Consumer Affairs and Halal Industry Committee ( Jawatankuasa Tetap Agama Islam , Pengguna Dan Industri Halal ) went on a working visit to Indonesia in conjunction with the Indonesia Halal Expo 2022 .

Led by Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni , he and his delegation held several meetings and visits from Aug 18 to 23 , 2022 . They learned the Indonesian method of developing the halal industry , looked for business networks in Indonesia , and learned the procedure for a product to penetrate the Indonesian market .

Indonesian Halal Expo 2022 Opening Ceremony .

With representatives ModernCikande Industrial Estate ( MCIE ) Indonesia .

MEETINGS AND VISITS HIGHLIGHTS

Indonesia Halal Expo 2022 was the first halal expo held in Indonesia since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world . Mohd Zawawi was invited as the Guest-of- Honour and jointly inaugurated the ongoing expo .

The delegation took note of the expo ’ s organisation , implementation and promotion to serve as a guide for the organisation of SELHAC , which is expected to be held in March 2023 . At the same time , the delegation also invited and announced the SELHAC 2023 programme in addition to collecting data on halal exhibitors at the expo .

Apart from the expo , the delegation also attended a meeting session with the Deputy Ambassador of Malaysia in Jakarta . Delegates were briefed on ;

• Fields with promising opportunities in Indonesia including construction , agriculture , clean water treatment plant technology and solid waste management .

• Products or companies that want to penetrate the Indonesian market which must go through the newly introduced MATRADE ( one-stop centre ) to follow the correct procedures and avoid being cheated by middlemen .

• A business background check that needs to be done first because the business culture in Indonesia is different and based on the company ’ s cash flow .

• Indonesia ’ s GDP is US $ 1 trillion compared to Malaysia ’ s US $ 300 billion .

• The policy of land ownership by foreigners is not allowed in Indonesia but is permitted in partnership .

• System Maid Online ( SMO ) was created to protect or take care of the welfare of Indonesians on the issue of sending labour to Malaysia . They also attended a friendly meeting session with Embassy representatives and Entrepreneurs in Indonesia and learned ;

• Business and investment opportunities have fairly good prospects as there is no chronic labour problem .

• For new investors , the selection of agents and partners should be emphasised because Indonesia has laws that protect citizens and the homeland .

• The embassy , through MATRADE , is the right place to be a reference source before any agreement is made . The delegates also conducted visits to several institutions and businesses such as ;

• Visited the PT Nusapangan factory , a well-known fast-food manufacturer in Indonesia , and learned the marketing strategy implemented by the company to penetrate the overseas market .

• Visited ModernCikande Industrial Estate ( MCIE ) Indonesia , where the delegation had the opportunity to study MCIE ’ s methods of attracting investors by offering various facilities that include complete and up-todate facilities and infrastructure .

• Trip to Pasentran Baitul Quran at Depok , where the delegation learned how to manage an Islamic educational institution , including administrative affairs , school curriculum and financial resources .

• Visited the Majelis Ulama Indonesia ( MUI ) and Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal ( BPJPH ) Indonesia and learned about the Indonesian halal certification application procedures and requirements . – Special Edition

THAIFEX- Anuga Asia 2022 Opening Ceremony

THAILAND is the 12th largest exporter of halal goods and the 5th largest producer of halal food in the world and ranks first in halal exports among ASEAN countries .

Thailand ’ s halal industry is growing rapidly and is making a name for itself internationally with the theme of World ’ s Halal Kitchen .

In May 2022 , a Selangor delegation visited the THAIFEX-Anuga Asia 2022 ( Thaifex Anuga ), Thailand ’ s largest F & B trade fair organised since the Covid-19 pandemic .

The delegation ’ s visit to Thailand , led by Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni , is seen as an opportunity and potential for the development of the halal industry in Selangor , particularly the two-way relationship between industry players , and research and development ( R & D ) collaborations and developments .

With the top management of the Halal Affairs Department at The Central Islamic Council of Thailand ( CICOT ).

Visit to the Research & Development ( R & D ) Laboratory , Chulalongkorn University .

STRENGTHENING HALAL SCIENCE AND R & D

Established in 2003 , Chulalongkorn University ’ s Halal Science Center ( HSC ) was initially referred to as the Central Laboratory and Scientific Information Center for Halal Food Development ( Halal-CELSIC ).

HSC has become the research core and network for halal science in Thailand . The centre now has a network of over 10 laboratories in several universities and institutions across the country .

Since 2003 , Prof Associate Dr Winai Dahlan still leads the HSC , which now has 21 full-time Muslim scientists . Under his leadership , seven of them have successfully obtained a PhD in halal research .

Through the visit to HSC , the Selangor delegation understood the neat and systematic strategy and structure in moving the function of higher education institutions in the development of halal science .

The development of HSC is 100 per cent funded by the Thai government to Chulalongkorn University . After 20 years , the university is reaping a significant return on the original investment in establishing HSC .

Based on the success of Chulalongkorn University , Selangor can emulate the model that HSC has implemented through its University of Selangor ( UNISEL ).

The delegation also visited organisations such as the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand ( IEAT ), the Malaysian Embassy in Thailand , and the Halal Affairs Department at The Central Islamic Council of Thailand ( CICOT ).

Overall , the visit was deemed a success as delegates received the latest information on Thailand ’ s method of making halal an added value in the production of goods , which is not only exclusive to Muslims ; focus on the expansion of the halal industry market , including exports abroad ; and methods to develop R & D in the halal industry and provide vast opportunities in creating a marketing network .

SELHAC TO BE MODELLED ON THE THAIFEX-ANUGA

Thaifex Anuga , held at Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani , Bangkok , is an annual event organised by the Thai government for the 3rd time in collaboration with Anuga . Anuga is the world ’ s largest food expo .

Thaifex Anuga is a platform for industry players to increase their diversification , add new growth prospects , get ideas for innovation , optimise operations and create value for stakeholders .

The delegation also took note of the expo ’ s organisation , implementation and promotion and hopes to use it as a guide for the organisation of SELHAC in the future .

Among others that can be modelled during a visit to Thaifex Anuga is the Thailand Business Incubator for Halal Products and Services ( BIHAP ), an incubator for the development of halal products that includes R & D .

At the same time , the delegation also announced the SELHAC programme to be held in 2023 . – Special Edition