Port seen as our halal products’ gateway to Europe

By MANJIT KAUR

KUALA LUMPUR: The famed Rotterdam Port could be an ideal gateway into Europe for Malaysia’s halal products, said International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said since the port was the only certified European halal hub, it was well positioned to promote the country’s halal products into Europe.

The minister said he had suggested to his Dutch counterpart Frank Heemskerk that a special seminar on halal certifications and related matters be organised in Rotterdam.

“I will speak to Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed to seek a suitable date to organise the seminar,” he told reporters Wednesday after witnessing an MoU between Dutch company Ingrepro BV and Biomac Corporation Sdn Bhd at a hotel here.

Ingrepro director Carel Callenbach and Biomac chief executive officer Syed Isa Syed Alwi signed the MoU on collaboration for the production of biofuel from algae and production of algae for antioxidants.

Muhyiddin and Heemskerk witnessed the event.

On the import of meat from the Netherlands, Muhyiddin said certain rules and regulations needed to be complied with.

“It is necessary for industries there to get certification and accreditation from us to ensure the abattoirs complied with the halal requirement.