JICA Collaborating With Kedah In Halal Food Production

By Ima Aimi Nadia Ibrahim ALOR SETAR (Kedah, Malaysia), Feb 25 (Bernama) -- Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in collaboration with the Kedah government, plans to produce Japanese halal food products for the Malaysian market. JICA has identified Gurun-based Ambang Dorongan Sdn Bhd for the production of 'mochi', a Japanese confectionary made from pounded pasty rice and molded into shape, to get the venture started. Kedah Women Development, Welfare, Agriculture, Agro-based and Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman Suraya Yaakob said the venture was concluded during JICA's visit to Ambang Dorongan's manufacturing facilities Tuesday. "During the visit, JICA officials witnessed how 'mochi' was being produced using local ingredients. They sampled the traditional Japanese food and were satisfied with its quality," she told Bernama here Tuesday. Suraya said the collaboration between JICA and Ambang Dorongan would pave the way for halal food products from Kedah to enter overseas market. "JICA has shown keen interest in halal food production and plans to set up a halal park like that of Sungai Petani in Hokkaido. We are willing to share our knowledge on the halal food industry with them for mutual benefits," she said. JICA small and medium enterprise overseas adviser Shinichi Tsuboi said JICA ventured not only in halal food but also in continental food production. He said JICA's collaboration with Kedah in halal food production was in preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to cater to the needs of Muslim athletes and visitors. -- BERNAMA