Working paper soon on halal industry

KUALA LUMPUR: The International Trade and Industry Ministry will present a working paper to the Cabinet soon to determine who will bear the responsibility of promoting the halal food and non-food industry.

Its minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said although the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) was tasked with promoting the industry, the ministry had been there longer and had the manpower and resources to do the job.

"The HDC was initiated a few years ago but we don't seem to know what it has done, what direction it is taking and what specific role it is playing in promoting the country as a halal hub.

"I believe the ministry can undertake a major responsibility, if the Cabinet directs it to do so. It has the necessary expertise. It is the most qualified body to coordinate this industry," he told reporters Tuesday after briefing Matrade officials here.

On when the working paper would be tabled in Cabinet, he said: "As soon as possible; the sooner the better. We need to seek a new directive to move forward. Now, I don't see things moving concertedly on that matter."

Muhyiddin said the ministry would also decide in terms of policy direction whether to expand the scope of collaboration with international producers of halal food and non-food products.

"Many international manufacturers have expressed their intention to work with Malaysia to get the right certification for halal products and to sell them in the global market. Earlier, we were thinking that they could be considered as competitors to Malaysia's intention to develop a halal hub.

"Since we have limited capacity and ability to produce halal products and face a lot of constraints in terms of resources, capital and raw materials, we have to see what needs to be done to address this issue," he added.

Muhyiddin said the working paper would also include the impact of the slight global economic downturn on the Malaysian economy in terms of trade and investments to caution the people involved in trade of goods and services overseas.

He also said that the ministry hoped that the country could retain the RM1 trillion trade figure it hit last year with continuous aggressive promotions.