South Africa Prioritises Halal Sector In Bilateral Relations With Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 (Bernama) -- Halal sector has been identified as one of the biggest opportunities that South Africa has prioritised in its bilateral relations with Malaysia, said South African High Commissioner to Malaysia David E. Malcomson.
Speaking to Bernama recently, he said halal sector cooperation can expand beyond bilateral ties between the two countries and South Africa is optimistic it can play the role as a gateway to the African continent for Malaysia.
“Equally, South Africa views Malaysia as a gateway to ASEAN, where Malaysia will take over the chairmanship of the bloc next year. Malaysia has links throughout ASEAN and can be the gate for South Africa to enter the Belt and Road market up to Kunming in China,” he said.
Malcomson said the opportunity for halal sector comes with the African Continental Free Trade Area which is now integrating all African countries into one single market with approximately 1.2 billion people throughout the continent.
Out of the 1.2 billion population in 54 countries in Africa, over 500 million are Muslims, he added.
South Africa has the necessary infrastructure linkages as well as banking and retail connections as South African banks and companies have a footprint throughout the African continent.
“So we believe South Africa can provide gateway into Africa for Malaysian companies and the linkages that will enable Malaysia to serve the African market,” he said.
Malcomson said next year is an important year for both South Africa and Malaysia as Pretoria is scheduled to host the G20 summit while Malaysia will take over the ASEAN chairmanship.
Therefore, he said it is good for both countries to intensify cooperation in halal industry.
He mentioned that despite South Africa having a relatively small Muslim community, with 500,000 Muslims out of a population of 60 million, the country is one of the leading global producers of halal products.
“Sixty per cent of the products in South Africa’s retail stores are halal certified and South Africa has three halal certification bodies that are recognised by Malaysia’s Jakim (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia),” he said.
According to the envoy, South Africa has been taking part in Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) organised by the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) every year, with products such as food and beverage, pharmaceutical, beauty, healthcare and halal tourism (with the Cape Town Malays having direct link with the Malay Archipelago).
He said South Africa has a long history of servicing West Asian countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates with halal products.
“South Africa has been trying to do the same with Malaysia; we succeeded in the food and beverage market particularly citrus fruits. One area we are still battering away is getting the access of South African meat including beef, lamb, mutton and chicken,” he said.
Malcomson said these products provide a choice to Malaysian consumers at an appealing quality and price.
The envoy also invited Malaysian companies to invest in South Africa as a Halal Hub and to invest in Halal Parks in the country, aimed at serving the African continent market and the West Asia region which currently has a 40 per cent gap between supply and demand.
After commemorating 30 years of diplomatic relations between South Africa and Malaysia last year, he is eager for both nations to formalise and sign agreements for cooperation in the halal industry.
South Africa, as ASEAN sectoral dialogue partner, also looks forward to work with the bloc under Malaysia’s chairmanship next year, he added.
As South Africa celebrates its 30th Anniversary of Democracy on April 27 (Freedom Day), he expressed his hope that South Africa and Malaysia will exchange leader’s visit.
He noted that efforts are being made to return the direct flight between Kuala Lumpur, Johannesburg and Cape Town in the future to increase movement and people-to-people relations.
-- BERNAMA
