M'SIAN GOVT TO FOCUS ON CREATING HALAL ECOSYSTEM

ALOR SETAR (Malaysia), May 28 (Bernama) -- The International Trade and Industry
Ministry will focus its attention on creating a halal ecosystem in Malaysia and
not just a hub for local halal food, deputy minister Mukhriz Mahathir said.

He said the government wanted the halal industry to cover a wider spectrum of
products such as cosmetics and pharmaceutical and not just food products.

"We will also ensure that the production process, including packaging and
logistics are syariah-compliant," he told reporters after attending the opening
of a two-day halal industry carnival here organised by the Halal Industry
Development Corporation.

The carnival was opened by Chief Minister of the northern state of Kedah Azizan
Abdul Razak.

Mukhriz said Malaysia targeted 5.8 per cent contribution from the halal sector
to the country's Gross Domestic Product compared to less than two per cent at
the moment.

"We feel that Malaysia needs to compete in other halal sectors and not just in
the food sector," he said, adding that there was a huge demand for halal
products even among the non-Muslim countries.
-- BERNAMA