HDC AIMS TO DEVELOP MORE GLOBAL CHAMPIONS IN HALAL INDUSTRY

By Christine Lim May Yu

KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 (Bernama) -- The Halal Industry Development Corporation

(HDC) aims to develop more global champions in the halal industry, its chief
executive officer Jamil Bidin says.

He said four Malaysian companies have been selected to receive support in
marketing and for trade mission overseas.

“These companies are already big industry players in the global halal
market. Their products range from food to cosmetics,” he told Bernama.

Jamil said that at least another six Malaysian companies are expected to be
picked to represent HDC’s Halal Champion Programme this year.

“Many players are still small and we need to put in lot more effort for
these players to develop to become bigger market players,” he said.

He said there was a need to develop bigger players into stronger companies
with new innovations and market access.

"In HDC’s effort to develop industry players, it is looking at potential
companies to develop," he said.

Jamil said the companies would be selected based on profile, products,
performance and successful vendor programmes.

He said these companies would be given support to penetrate certain markets
and in return their performance such as revenue and quality of employment
created would be monitored.

"HDC will also collaborate with other agencies such as the Malaysia External
Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and SME Corp to promote halal products,”
he said.

Jamil said the halal industry is expected to contribute 5.8 per cent to
the country's gross domestic product by 2020 as compared with less than two per
cent currently.

Compared with many countries in the halal market, Malaysia provides a
holistic
and comprehensive approach to the halal industry, he said.

“Unlike other countries, we've a halal ecosystem that focuses on
manufacturing
and support services such as certification, logistics, Islamic banking, standard
developnent and research and development,” he said.

Jamil said Thailand was another major player in the market which was strong
in
processed food, Australia in the meat industry and Brazil in poultry.

Established on Sept 18, 2006, the HDC coordinates overall development of
the halal industry in Malaysia.

It focuses on the development of halal standards, audit and certification,
capacity building for halal products and services, promotes participation and
facilitates growth of Malaysian companies in the global halal market.

“There is always a big market for premium products. We should position
players in Malaysia for the niche product,” said Jamil.

The HDC is also looking for collaborations in the halal industry, he said.

The HDC established a tie-up with Nilai-based Pure Circle and with a
Cambodian organisation on contract farming for production and supply of stevia.


–- BERNAMA