Major Halal role for Sabah

Kota Kinabalu - Sabah is set to play a major role in helping materialise the country`s ambition to become the World`s Halal Food Hub.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman said the State Government has already identified several districts to be developed as the State`s food production hubs that can complement in terms of production supply for the effort to develop a Halal industry.

He said Sabah is also located within the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines - East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) which makes the State a very strategic area for the development of Halal industry in the region.

"In addition, there is also increased awareness among the local people to double effort and productivity as well as a conducive environment for creating a strong co-operation networking between the public and private sectors," he said.

Musa, who is also the Finance Minister, said this when opening the State-level Seminar on Halal Industry Development organised jointly by the State Government and Halal Industry Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (HDC) at Magellan Sutera Hotel, Monday.

His speech was read by Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail. Industrial Development Minister Datuk Ewon Ebin, HDC Chairman Tan Sri Dr Syed Jalaluddin Syed Salim, its Managing Director/CEO Datuk Jamil Bidin, and State Economic Planning Unit (EPU) Director Dr Mohd Fowzi Razi, among others, were also present.

Musa said the Halal industry is growing rapidly, with the world Halal industry`s market value for food production only already estimated worth US$547 per annum (RM1.8billion).

"If we take into account of the market value for non-food products it would be about US$2.1 trillion. Several countries in the Asia Pacific region like Australia, China, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei and Philippines have made benefit of the Halal industry growth and currently among successful countries in this industry," he said.

Consumers are increasingly aware of the quality of the products and services of Halal standard, he said, adding the level of acceptance among non-Muslim consumers on Halal products and services have also increased. Tey are more positive towards Halal products particularly in terms of hygiene guarantee.

"With the world population estimated to exceed six billion people and the Muslim population now estimated to be 1.7 billion, the potential of Halal industry and entrepreneurship opportunities in this field is in deed very vast," Musa said.

Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP), Malaysia will be developed as the Halal product certification hub while the Jakim certification services will be promoted at the Global level.

In line with this, Musa said the Federal Government had taken steps and efforts in various aspects like increasing the capacity of institutions, logistics and human capital.

Describing the proactive effort of HDC in organising Monday`s seminar on Halal food industry development as a very important catalyst for the progress of the State Halal industry, he said this effort would contribute to the further socio-economic improvement of all walks of the community, especially in the State.

It would also support the objectives of setting up the Sabah Development Corridor which is scheduled to be launched later this month.

"Sabah Development Corridor is a comprehensive and holistic development approach covering all districts in Sabah. In line with this approach, the effort to develop the Halal industry in the State definitely will generate a thorough and positive impact on the State`s economic development," he said.

Confident that the Halal industry will bring the State economic development to a new era, Musa believed it would also play an important role in the development of a healthy, efficient and competitive entrepreneur and corporate sector.

"This is in line with the Government`s objective to create a Bumiputera Trade and Industrial Community (MPPB)," he said.

Describing the effort by HDC to develop a Halal industry in the State as timely in adding value to the food production industry, Musa is confident that the HDC support in the State`s Halal industry development would be continuous and expanded through support in funding, technical and expertise.

"I believe with the integrated effort as well as continuous progress through the effectiveness of the Government delivery system and strengthening of the State financial standing, we will achieve the aim for Sabah to become a developed state by 2015," he said.

Musa also urged all rakyat in Sabah, particularly bumiputera entrepreneurs, to come forward and grab every opportunity and be bold enough to venture actively in Halal industry development.

Source: www.dailyexpress.com.my (16 Januari 2008)
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