Export of Malay��ian halal product�� worth RM42 billion in 2016

THE EXPORT of halal products from Malaysia, half of these being food and beverages, reached about RM42 billion last year.

International Trade and Industry Minister, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said RM12 billion had been invested in Malaysia’s halal industry, with the companies involved able to create 11,000 jobs.

He was replying to a question from Datuk Mohd Zaim Abu Hasan (BN-Parit) on developments in the country’s halal product industry, at the Dewan Rakyat sitting, here, yesterday.

Meanwhile, his deputy Datuk Ahmad Maslan said to date, the government had approved RM19.78 million in loans to 51 micro, small and medium enterprises in Sabah under the Business Accelerator Programme (BAP).

He said RM12.78 million had been allocated for 89 SMEs in that state under the Bumiputera Enterprise Enhancement Programme (BEEP) up to June, 2017.

“Throughout 2014 until this year, RM2.27 million in grants have been approved for youth entrepreneurs in training them to manage their own businesses under SME Corp,” he said in reply to questions from Datuk Raime Unggi (BN-Tenom).

Datuk Irmohizam Ibrahim ( BN-Kuala Selangor) posed a supplementary question on the government’s efforts at encouraging digital-based economic activities among entrepreneurs.

To this, Ahmad said the ministry would continue to assist SME operators through various programmes to encourage edagang or e- commerce among traders and entrepreneurs. — Bernama