HDC Aims To Penetrate Deeper Into International Markets

Bernama -- The Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) aims to penetrate deeper into international markets, especially the United States, Europe and Japan.

Managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin said HDC had been aggressively focusing on capturing the international markets since it assumed the responsibility for halal certification from the Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) on April 17, 2008.

"To date, we have issued halal certifications for 527 companies in the Malaysian market and 16 companies in international markets," he said at a news conference here today.

About 1,000 applications for halal certification have been received from the Malaysian market, he added.

HDC kicked off the two-day International Halal Certification Dialogue at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today, bringing together some of the world's leading researchers and entrepreneurs in the global halal industry.

In total, 47 Islamic bodies from 23 nations are represented at the event.

HDC chairman Tan Sri Dr Syed Jalaludin Syed Salim, in his opening address, said the desire to ensure that the entire production and manufacturing processes involved in the global economy was halal-compliant had led to an increasing level of awareness among Muslims and non-Muslims.

Among the new developments in the halal industry was in genetically-modified food, he said.

HDC vice president of halal integrity Mariam Abdul Latif said at the news conference that genetically-modified food was acceptable as being halal-compliant as long as it was sourced from halal-based materials.

According to Jamil, the main challenge facing the industry is obtaining halal-based raw materials.

He said the industry could benefit from halal-based certification which provided assurances in quality and safety of products for the mass market, especially with the current outbreak of melamine-contaminated products in the market.

He also said that consumer confidence and integrity were placed in the halal certification.

According to Syed Jalaludin, there is tremendous potential for halal products worldwide.
He said even at its relatively early phase of development, some estimates placed the current size of the global halal market at US$2.1 trillion.

HDC To Propose The Enactment Of A Halal Act To The Government

Bernama -- The Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC), will propose the enactment of a Halal Act to the government.

Its managing director/chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin said the corporation was currently in the process of drafting the Act which would help monitor and prevent misuse of the halal certification in the country.

"In Malaysia, we don't have a specific Act for enforcement with regards to the misuse of the halal certification,particularly among restaurant owners," he told reporters here Wednesday.

"We hope with the establishment of the Act, the whole cycle of halal integrity would be protected," he said.

He said the process of drafting the Act is expected to be completed by next year.

Currently, a total of 26 hotels and 500 restaurants nationwide have been granted the halal certification.

The HDC was established in 2006 as a private company fully owned by the Ministry of Finance.It was recently given the responsibility of issuing the Malaysian Halal Certificate, taking over the function from the Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim).

The HDC has been tasked by the government to capitalise on the multi-trillion dollar global halal industry. It has also been handed the mandate to facilitate the growth of the halal economy in Malaysia while making the country the premier referral centre and hub.

This is to be done by providing comprehensive halal certification, research and development as well as infrastructure growth support.

Jamil said the HDC had created a range of halal training programmes to increase understanding and develop human capital within the industry.

He said the training programmes catered to the general public and for both Muslims and non-Muslims.