HDC Expands Halal Export Footprint Into Indonesia

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (Bernama) — Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) has spread its wings and aimed to tap into the Indonesian market in a significant way via trade collaborations with companies in the halal industry. A special trade mission was made to Indonesia led by Minister of International Trade and Industry, Mustapa Mohamed, who was accompanied by a delegation of 50 representatives from private companies and halal industry players, HDC said in a statement. Also leading the team was Jamil Bidin, chief executive officer of HDC. Total halal export value to Indonesia in 2011 was RM1.81 billion compared with total exports to the country of RM20.82 billion. (US$1=RM3.14) This was an increase of 62 per cent from the halal export value of RM1.12 billion in 2010, against a total export value of RM18.09 billion. The top five export products were food & beverages (RM1.04 billion), halal ingredients (RM567 million), industrial chemical (RM130.4 million), cosmetic and personal care products (RM27.65 million) and palm oil derivatives (RM27 million). The Malaysia-Indonesia Business Forum themed “Malaysia-Indonesia: Spurring Halal Economic Growth” was well attended by some 150 Indonesian entrepreneurs and members of the business community there. Several business matchings were accomplished in both halal food and non-food sectors, HDC said. During the mission, the corporation identified potential companies and allies it could work with towards increasing foreign export of Malaysian halal products and services to Indonesia. -- BERNAMA