By Suhaila Shahrul Annuar
SHAH ALAM, July 2 — Selangor is determined to continue focusing on and exploring opportunities in the halal industry, taking into account the significant potential of this sector both in Malaysia and globally.
Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari said the state is also perceived to have great potential in develop the industry, which also encompasses the tourism sector.
"We have immense potential, and several countries like Taiwan have also focussed on the halal industry by including it in their tourist locations.
"In 2016, Selangor established Majlis Halal to encourage the exploration of this industry, and more importantly, to obtain Malaysia's halal certification, which is highly regarded worldwide," he said.
Amirudin was speaking during a special Selamat Pagi Malaysia interview session, broadcast live from Pantai Batu Laut in Tanjung Sepat, earlier today.
He added a good ecosystem plays a crucial role in the development of a state's or nation's halal industry.
"Obtaining halal certification is not limited to the aspect of slaughtering (animals for food) but also takes into account the aspects of cleanliness, content, processes, and so on. This is why we encourage traders to be halal-friendly.
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Menteri Besar Selangor Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari (right) visits one of the exhibit booths during the Selangor International Halal Conference (Selhac) 2023 at the Kuala Lumpur Trade Centre, on March 10, 2023. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
"At times, entrepreneurs tend to view the importance of obtaining halal certification lightly, and up falling behind. However, the state government is ready to assist, and we have provided grants for them to apply," Amirudin said.
The Menteri Besar noted that micro, small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) largely involved in food and beverage businesses can be explored, so they can obtain halal certification and thereby enhance the market potential of their products.
The state government is implementing the Selangor Halal Action Plan (Selhap) 2020 - 2030, via the First Selangor Plan (RS-1) following the projected growth of the global halal market to RM23.2 trillion by 2030.
A total of 10 initiatives are being carried out, including establishing the Central Information Platform (CIP), Certified Halal Operators (AHO), Halal Selangor Promotion, Halal Selangor Financing, the Selangor Halal Economic Zone, and Small-and-Medium Enterprise Development Programme in Selangor.
Others include the Selangor Halal Capacity Development, the Selangor Halal Cooperative, the Selangor Halal Business Hub, and the Halal Raw Material Database.
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State executive councillor for halal industry Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni (third from left) and Menteri Besar Selangor Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari (centre) during the Selangor International Halal Conference (Selhac) 2023 at the Kuala Lumpur Trade Centre, on March 10, 2023. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
