Local players urged to continue leading halal industry

KUALA LUMPUR: Local stakeholders in the halal industry should intensify investments in new areas and continue being at the forefront of the global halal industry, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“What is needed is more intensive research and development as well as more innovationtofindhalalalternativesusing palm oil derivatives to replace non-halal ingredients.

“Local companies must upgrade existing facilities, step up research and development, acquire new technology and enhance marketing activities,” he said at the Halal Cosmetics and Personal Care: In Trend conference here yesterday.

Present were former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Lee Chee Leong and Halal Industry Development Corporation Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin.

Ahmad Zahid also announced his appointment as the first chairman of the Malaysia Halal Council, which was established to replace the Special Cabinet Committee on Halal Industry Management and Development.

The deputy prime minister said the global halal market, valued at US$2.3 trillion annually, not only served 1.8 billion Muslimsworldwidebutalso non-Muslim markets.

“Exports of halal products have increased steadily, recording RM42 billion in 2015 from RM38 billion in 2014.

China, Singapore, the United States, IndonesiaandJapanwerethemainmarkets for Malaysia’s halal products.

“Of the total exports, halal cosmetic and personal care products accounted for RM2.4 billion and they were exported to the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Singapore and the Philippines,” he added.— Bernama

HDC hopes to attract Korean, Japanese investors in halal cosmetics

KUALA LUMPUR: The Halal Industry DevelopmentCorporation(HDC)hopesto attract South Korean and Japanese investors to set up their base in Malaysia as a gateway to the halal cosmetic market.

Its chief executive, Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin said the halal industry was already gaining traction in general with investmentsintoMalaysiaamountingtoRM10.6 billion last year, comprising RM5.6 billion foreign direct investment and RM5 billion domestic investment.

“Japanese and Koreans are two big players in the cosmetic and personal care industry.

“Considering the huge potential in the halal industry, I believe even the big playerscannotignoretheMuslimmarket,”he told a press conference after the launch of the Halal Cosmetics and Personal Care: In Trend Conference by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi here yesterday.

Former prime minister Tun Abdullah AhmadBadawiandDeputyInternational Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong were present.

Jamil said going forward, HDC aimed to holdmoresectoralhalal-relatedconferences to enable stakeholders to grasp the do’s and don’ts of the sector.

He said the export value of halal cosmetic and personal care products this year would likelyseelittlegrowthfromlastyear’sRM2.3 billion, given the challenging economic condition.

Over 30 per cent of Malaysia’s halal cosmetic and personal care products were exportedtotheUnitedArabEmirates,while otherkeyexportsmarketswereTurkey,Singapore and the Philippines. — Bernama