Govt Identifies Five Areas As Halal Food Industry Zones

The government has identified Pedas in Negeri Sembilan, Serkam Pantai in Melaka, Paya Pahlawan in Kedah, Pantai Remis in Perak and Gambang in Pahang as potential areas for development as halal food industry zones.

The development of the industry in these areas are to ensure the participation of the respective local people in the industry, said Chairman of the World Halal Forum, Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said the move was reflective of the seriousness of the government to improve the standard of living among the rural folks and generate economic activities in these areas.

The Halal Industry Master Plan has already been submitted to the Finance Ministry and it is expected to be announced after the elections, he said.

Khairy said that although the rural communities were active in producing halal products, they were separated from the mainstream industries.

There is a need for them to be exposed to the opportunities in the industry through the small workshops that would be held in the villages, he said.

"Through the Malaysian Halal Industry Development Corporation, we will work towards a distribution network involving them (village communities)," he said after launching a workshop here on halal initiatives.

Khairy, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for Rembau's Parliament seat, said that the halal park to be developed in Pedas will be the model for the development of halal parks in other states.

The park in Pedas will focus on the production of value added foods.

HDC meanwhile will look into finding ways of increasing the participation of rural folks in the industry through job openings and opportunities as suppliers.

On capital, he said it could come from many sources such as the ministries, cooperatives, and banks.

The halal park in Pedas, which will cover 40 hectares, will be equipped with factories, cold storage, packaging area, godown and one stop service centre.