HALAL LOGO STARDARDISATION HELPS BUYING DECISIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- The standardisation of the halal
certificate and logo by Malaysia's Islamic Development Department (Jakim) starting
Friday will enable consumers to differentiate between a fake logo and a valid one,
said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom.

He said with the move, all state religious councils would use a single halal
certificate and logo, which was patented by Jakim.

"Consumers should no longer be confused in their buying decisions with the
uniformity of the logo," he told reporters after the launch of the 1Malaysia One
Halal Campaign by Deputy King Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah at the National
Mosque here Friday.

Jamil Khir said Jakim would take stern action against those, who misuse the
halal logo, certificate and procedure under the Halal Act, which would be
enforced next year.

He said the enforcement would be finalised after a discussion between Jakim, The
Attorney-General's Chambers and the Domestic Trade, Corporative and Consumerism
Ministry.

Earlier in his speech, Jamil Khir said the halal industry, which was worth RM8
trillion (US$2.35 trillion), should be tapped by entrepreneurs in efforts to
transform the country into a halal hub and a high-income economy.

He said based on the HighBeam Research, the halal food industry in 112 countries
would grow from US$150 billion in 2007 to US500 billion
this year.

On the 1Malaysia One Halal Campaign, he said it was aimed at creating awareness
among consumers on the single halal logo, and providing a platform for
entrepreneurs to promote halal products and form a networking among them.
-- BERNAMA