E-Halal.Com To Generate US$73.5 Mln Turnover In First Year Of Operations

KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 (Bernama) -- e-Halal.com, a comprehensive commerce directory portal supported by worldwide halal trustmark, is expected to generate US$73.57 million (RM300 million) in turnover in its first year of operations. International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed said the portal, an initiative by the Halal Industry Corporation (HDC), would be available in China, South Korea, Indonesia and Singapore. "The e-Halal mall will also help Malaysia establish itself as a halal hub for the e-commerce trade," he told reporters after launching the portal here Thursday. In an effort to promote and boost the halal trade, HDC has brought together 10 e-commerce platforms, among them, dindin.com (China), 11street (South Korea), Zilzar.com, JOCOM, Tiara TV and Global Halal Data Pool, under the umbrella of e-Halal.com. Mustapa said the platform would help bridge all halal suppliers in the country and expand their e-commerce business. "More and more countries are now viewing the halal mart as an emerging market force capable of contributing towards economic growth," he said. Saying that the e-commerce industry was vital for Malaysia's economic future, Mustafa added that the government has set a contribution target of 6.4 per cent or US$27.95 billion (RM114 billion) to the country's Gross Domestic Product by 2020. Currently, halal products only accounted for five per cent of the country's exports and he hoped the numbers would increase with the establishment of the e-commerce platform. Urging more local traders to leverage on the platform, Mustapa said it would help them reduce transaction cost, reach a wider market, as well as, address the brand authenticity issue. -- BERNAMA