MUAR, July 22 (Bernama) — Malaysia’s Muslim entrepreneurs can be economic giants if capable of producing halal food and products to meet the demands of the global Islamic community.
Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Hamim Samuri said this is because the halal food and products market was very large, at more than RM3 trillion, and is an excellent opportunity to be wrested by Muslim entrepreneurs in the country.
“Last year (2012), Malaysia exported halal products worth RM35 billion, contributing four per cent to the country’s gross domestic product.
“In this regard, I urge more Muslim entrepreneurs to step forward and become suppliers of halal products,” he added.
Hamim said this in his speech at a ceremony to present Hari Raya assistance to 200 underpriviledged persons at the Parit Bunga Mosque, Ledang, here Sunday night.
The event was organised by the Halal Development Corporation Malaysia (HDC). Also present was its chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin.
Hamim said at present, various initiatives were being undertaken to enhance the production of halal products to cover food, cosmetic products and others, needed by the global Muslim community.
He said entrepreneurs in the country were fortunate as Malaysia was one of the few countries in the world which issued halal certifications recognised by all Islamic countries.
“We are the only country to issue the halal certification, while in others, it is done by non-governmental organisations such as mosque committees and localised bodies representing the Muslim community,” he added.
According to Hamim, the issuance of the certificates was not simply done, but needed to follow set rules, including from the aspect of cleanliness and the hukum syarak.
Also the Member of Parliament for Ledang, he expressed disappointment with the lukewarm response from the community in the area, towards the recent halal seminar organised by several zones.
“We will however, continue to work towards bringing change to the community, especially for the Muslims in the Ledang parliamentary constituency, to improve their socio-economic standing.
*This article was published by Bernama. Read the original article here.
