HDC SAYS SUMMIT SUCCESSFUL WITH OBJECTIVES MET

KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 (Bernama) -- The close of the World Halal Research
(WHR) Summit 2010 Friday, saw several outcomes which more than adequately met
the objectives.

One of them was the almost 400 international participants' presence, giving
the issues of the event a truly global treatment, Halal Industry Development
Corporation (HDC) said in a statement Friday.

The event also successfully saw the signing of two Memoranda of
Understanding (MoU), namely between HDC and Taylor's University College for
incorporating halal training modules, and between HDC and Negereh Neguin Kish
(NNK) of Iran.

The deal with NNK is expected to benefit the existing 700 Small Medium
Enterprises (SMEs) in the country whereby they are expected to gain access to
the retail market of Iran as well as the Commonwealth of Independent States of
Russia.

A total of 23 papers were also presented in the event, covering various
aspects of the halal concept and industry including issues and challenges facing
the industry.

In his keynote address, Minister of International Trade and Industry,
Mustapa Mohamed had said that the Malaysian Halal industry has opted for a
holistic approach aimed at creating a halal eco-system.

"Our emphasis is not only on production but also the provision of
halal-related services which include Islamic banking and finance, logistics and
tourism."

The minister said a Global Halal Reference Centre will also be created in
support of halal research and development, innovation, training and standards
development.

The WHR Summit 2010 was officially closed by the Prime Minister's wife,
Rosmah Mansor who called on the participants to look and forge ahead with the
spreading of the halal concept far and wide.
-- BERNAMA