KUALA LUMPUR, 11 May 2007 — The Malaysian government is deeply committed to strengthen the halal industry and achieve the vision of making Malaysia a global halal hub, Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi said during the opening of the fourth Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS 2007) at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center yesterday.

“Specific policies and strategies to attain this objective (of making Malaysia the halal hub) are laid out in the Ninth Malaysia Plan and the third Industrial Master Plan, both of which were underlined last year. In addition, the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) was set up in September 2006 to spearhead and coordinate the development of the halal sector. These efforts are sure to play an important role in the Malaysian economy,” he said.

He also said the government would continue to promote robust industrial development. “Human capital and knowledge development will be emphasized to ensure that the halal industry keeps up with the trends and challenges at the global level. We must be prepared with the necessary skilled work force and professionals in anticipation of a dynamic halal industry. I would like to see local universities developing and offering academic programs in halal-related areas,” he said.

Malaysia hopes to leverage its promotions worldwide in the fact that its halal brand as well as its halal standard, MS1500:2004, are well established and internationally recognized.

“We must elevate the halal brand to become a premium brand and I ask all manufacturers in Malaysia to not only be halal-certified but also fulfill all requirements in terms of safety, good health and quality,” Badawi said, adding, “halal certification must be all encompassing. This is in line with global consumer trends that are increasingly inclined toward high quality and healthy products and services.”

“This would, I hope, lead to halal-certification becoming a global benchmark and brand that transcends across various religions and cultures. This will undoubtedly enhance market access of halal products and services to many more countries, and also boost acceptance and salability to non-Muslims as well,” he further said.

He also highlighted the “halal logistics” concept that is gaining acceptance in several Muslim countries and looks set to become a lucrative niche market for third party logistics providers.

Concerned that many logistics companies handle both halal and non-halal consignments, which often compromise the integrity of halal status, Badawi called for the integrity of the farm-to-fork supply chain.

“The halal food industry should put in place dedicated supply chain facilities in order to ensure that halal consignments remain unadulterated throughout the distribution chain,” he said.

Badawi commended the Malaysia International Shipping Corporation Berhard (MISC) for taking the initiative to provide total halal logistics management through “Halal Express”, which is a dedicated cargo liner for halal industry. He also praised the port of Rotterdam for taking the initiative to dedicate a halal distribution park for handling halal products in Europe. “Rotterdam provides gateway to 30 million Muslims in Europe,” he said.

Badawi showed a spark of humor when, after being presented with a memento of a boat inside a glass box by Rafidah Aziz, minister of international trade and industry, he quipped, “I hope it is halal-certified.” He later toured the exhibition, taking his time to see and learn about the different products displayed in the various booths.

Earlier, MATRADE Chief Executive Officer Noharuddin Nordin said the staging of MIHAS followed a two-pronged strategy. First, to act as a springboard for local halal businesses to enter the global market and, second, to boost global awareness of halal products and services.

In his speech, he said halal is increasingly gaining worldwide recognition as a benchmark for safety and quality, meeting more sophisticated consumer preferences and demand.

In light of this trade potential, the Malaysian government has undertaken a number of initiatives to exploit the huge potential of halal products and services worldwide while also creating awareness and interest among international business communities. The objectives of these initiatives are to facilitate and expand the global halal network, he said.

One example of MATRADE’s commitment to strengthen the industry is the MIHAS program, which aims to showcase high quality export-ready products and services. MIHAS provides new business linkages and consolidates existing networks, he said, adding that he was confident that the halal industry would see new collaborations developing following successful individual business meetings.

He said “besides catering to corporations and established players, MIHAS is a cost-effective launching pad for local small- and medium-enterprises (SMEs), many of whom do not have the financial resources to participate in exhibitions overseas and gain exposure.” Almost 50 percent of MIHAS exhibitors are SMEs, and are expected to benefit from their participation directly or indirectly.