HDC About To Implement Halal Industry Action Plan

Halal Industry Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (HDC) is set to step up its development and promotional activities at the national and international levels under its 2008-10 Strategy & Action Plan recently approved by its board of directors.

Managing director Datuk Jamil Bidin, who disclosed this today, said it is based on the masterplan for the industry that was submitted to the National Implementation Task Force chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

To implement the strategy & action plan, HDC will recruit more staff as well as seek government allocation for the period, he added.

"The aims include drawing both domestic and foreign investments as well as focusing on developing small and medium industries including in Sabah," he told the Sabah Halal Industry Development Seminar here.

About 100 people attended the one-day seminar opened by State Agriculture & Food Industry Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail who represented Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

According to Jamil, the strategy & action plan will help realise the objectives of the industry's masterplan which aims to drive the industry's contribution to the national economy in terms of export value, job openings and value added.

The objectives include laying emphasis on the food processing, cosmetics and beauty care sectors, animal husbandry and associated activities besides strengthening the International Halal Certification service, training and research & development, he added.

Musa in his speech expressed confidence that the development of the halal industry in Sabah will have a positive economic impact in line with the Sabah Development Corridor to be launched soon.

He felt the industry, while dovetailing with the corridor's comprehensive and holistic masterplan, will help spur a new era in the state's economic development as well as in entrepreneurship.