Despite the pandemic , the State contributed 24.3 per cent to the national gross domestic product ( GDP ) in 2020 . Its robust economic growth has attracted domestic and foreign investors for many years . Now , Selangor aims to strengthen its halal industry as it eyes endless opportunities in the global halal market .

Previously , Selangor ’ s halal industry was under the purview of the investment executive councillor . As one of its strategic plans to attract more investors , the State introduced a new halal industry portfolio in September 2020 , connecting its Shariah institution as the policyholder . This move makes Selangor the first State in Malaysia to do so .

In an exclusive interview with @ Halal , Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni , Chairman of the State Executive Council ( EXCO ) for Islamic Religious Affairs , Consumer Affairs and Halal Industry Committee , revealed what was in store for the State ’ s halal industry development , 10 years down the road .

is to plan and execute HIS programmes to attract foreign investors to the State ’ s halal industry . We have the halal hub , which has been here for many years .

“ However , the halal hub at the beginning may focus more on the real estate concept . I ’ m currently reviewing it and looking at some exit plans to develop this halal hub fully .

“ In our master plan , we also have the halal port project . It does not require us to have a new port , but just a designated area . It will also cover its banking system and other aspects and act as a one-stop centre .

“ We ’ re looking forward to realising this halal port project . On top of that , Selangor was selected by the federal government to build the 4th port in Pulau Carey . It will be part of our halal supply chain project .”

SELANGOR HALAL ACTION PLAN

Being handed the halal industry portfolio amid the pandemic , Zawawi said the responsibility as a challenging task .

He said : “ To make the State ’ s halal industry a viable and competitive industry nationally and internationally is a new challenge for me . However , a roadmap called Selangor Halal Action Plan ( SELHAP ) was jointly developed by Selangor Islamic Religious Department ( JAIS ) and Invest Selangor , through various engagement with the stakeholders . It is a 10-year plan for the State ’ s halal industry .”

He shared that Aspire Flagship Sdn Bhd , an organisation responsible for managing HIS programmes , was approved to be rebranded in October 2021 . A new team , consisting of a new CEO and a few staff , was then set up to coordinate and drive all significant activities approved in SELHAP .

“ SELHAP is a roadmap approved by the Selangor State Executive Council ( EXCO ),” explained Zawawi .

Stressing that halal today has gone beyond just food and beverages , he revealed Selangor planned to establish its Ar-Rahnu institution moving forward . He believed the elements offered by Ar-Rahnu attracted the interest of consumers , be they Muslims or non-Muslims .

“ The main objective of Aspire Flagship

HOPPING ON THE DIGITALISATION WAVE

Zawawi stated his team was reviewing a new concept of the halal economy ecosystem that was more dynamic and suitable with the State ’ s digital development . With the possibility of having the whole of Selangor connected via the Internet , this new halal economy ecosystem would be the next in-thing in the halal industry .

“ Consumers these days are more comfortable using online systems or applications for shopping , etc . The buying behaviour has changed - consumers will directly buy the products from suppliers .”

Zawawi said the State ’ s halal economy ecosystem would serve as a network that did not require people to be in certain places to purchase items as sellers and buyers would be connected via the ecosystem .

“ We ’ re also building an application for consumers to check the halal status of a product . They can use their phones and scan the products to see the information of the products , whether they ’ re registered or not , whether the halal logos are real or fake . We will launch the application soon .”

The application would also feature halal restaurants and other Muslimfriendly facilities and hospitalities . The initiative was aimed at familiarising

society with the halal lifestyle .

Zawawi said : “ I believe with the Selangor Smart City and Smart State development , it can facilitate in speeding up the effort to make halal as the way of life .”

In assisting halal businesses in marketing and promotion , the State also prepared an International Muslimfriendly Affiliated Network ( IMFAN ) platform for small business owners . The platform was ready to serve the people about a year , but there was a lack of marketing efforts to promote its utilisation .

“ There are some entrepreneurs in it , but in 2022 , we want to boost the platform further . We will utilise this platform for these businesses to promote their products . We also provide guidance and programmes for these businesses under Aspire Flagship , with around 40 training modules .”

STRESSES ON ADVOCACY

Like any other industry , Selangor ’ s halal sector also experienced significant disruption in activities due to the pandemic . However , the State was determined to move the industry forward and allocated RM1 million at the beginning for advocacy campaigns .

“ But the challenge is we have to carry out the programmes online as the pandemic continues . We do programmes

such as public speaking , targeting university and college students . These students would submit their public speaking videos to us , and we would assess them . There were around 150 participants , quite encouraging .

“ For the grand finale , we chose 10 shortlisted participants to compete face to face at a hall . It seems like we managed to identify new talents to speak and discuss halal issues ,” said Zawawi , adding that the videos were also used as an awareness campaign for the community .

Aside from that , the State also held other programmes such as halal quizzes and essay writing for advocacy purposes . In terms of assisting individuals affected by the pandemic , Zawawi revealed the State had also come up with programmes for these people to generate income and improve the economy .

HALAL SURI DARUL EHSAN PROGRAMME

“ We ’ re thinking of ways to assist the affected entrepreneurs in surviving in this pandemic , especially after the flood situation . Even though we have no latest data on the affected individuals , we have already started a few programmes for income generation .

“ One of the programmes is called Halal Suri Darul Ehsan ( Halal Suri ). The concept is we do matching grants . The