Entrepreneur devt ministry to boost halal ingredient sector

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development (MED) is focused on developing the supply of the main ingredients used in halal products to stimulate the country’s halal industry.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof, said the initiative was also expected to widen the range of halal products, especially those provided by the Bumiputera small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

“Among the measures being taken by the ministry is to develop the halal gelatin manufacturing industry with the involvement of the private sector,” he said during the ministerial question time in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

He was answering a question from Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad (BN-Parit Sulong) on the number of SMEs that had obtained halal certification following the 2019 Budget announcement of the RM100 million allocation to improve the SME industry’s capabilities in the halal sector.

Mohd Redzuan explained the RM100 million allocation was given to the Finance Ministry, the Economic Affairs Ministry, the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry, and the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to support the growth of the halal industry and halal hub development project.

“MED did not receive any special allocation under the 2019 Budget with regard to the halal industry. Nonetheless, the ministry has implemented several programmes to help grow the halal industry in the country,” he said.

Citing Jakim’s figures, he said 1,624 companies were issued the Malaysia Halal Certification out of the 3,268 companies that applied during the Nov 1, 2018 - Feb 28, 2019 period.

Mohd Redzuan said among programmes carried out by MED were the Bumiputera Enterprise Enhancement Programme, Business Accelerator Programme, One District One Industry (SDSI) showcaseprogramme,andMalaysia Halal Expo 2019.

He said the SDSI programme would be expanded to other states to assist SMEs in promoting their products. — Bernama