ID :
197799
Thu, 07/28/2011 - 08:21
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/197799
The shortlink copeid
ASEAN NEEDS TO EXPLORE WORLD HALAL FOOD INDUSTRY, SAYS ASEAN SEC-GEN
HADYAI, July 28 (Bernama) -- Asean countries need to tap the vast
potential existing in the world's halal food industry against a backdrop of
improved economic status among Muslims countries, said the grouping's Secretary
General Dr Surin Pitsuwan.
"The rise in middle-income population gives an opportunity for Asean
countries to conquer this industry as the world's halal market stood at US$25
trillion, annually.
"More than half of the 600 million population in this region are Muslims,
hence, we are on the right track to produce halal food.
"Asean countries are also known as the kitchen of the world," he said in a
keynote speech at the "World of Halal Science, Industry and Business
International Conference 2011", here Thursday.
Meanwhile, Dr Nor Azman Ngah, General Manager, Infrastructure and Investment
Investor Support Service, Halal Industry Development Corporation Sdn Bhd, told
reporters every country needs to find their strength and level of capability in
the halal industry.
"Asean countries should also capitalise upon their complementarities
and collaborate among themselves to attain economies of scale in production to
compete in the global market," he added.
On the potential for Malaysia to tap this industry, he said there were
immense opportunities to expand the trade and investment of halal products under
the Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA).
"Via AFTA, we can undertake reverse investment such as in Indonesia, Laos
and Cambodia by taking advantage of their cheap production cost, labour and
greater market size," he added.
He also said the output from such reverse investment can be marketed
domestically, exported back to Asean nations and third world countries such as
the Middle East and North Asia.
Dr Nor Azman said AFTA definitely would bring large numbers of halal
products from other Asean countries into Malaysia and vice versa.
He believed it would not be difficult for Malaysia to penetrate the Asean
Muslim market as it enjoyed high credibility in the halal industry.
-- BERNAMA
potential existing in the world's halal food industry against a backdrop of
improved economic status among Muslims countries, said the grouping's Secretary
General Dr Surin Pitsuwan.
"The rise in middle-income population gives an opportunity for Asean
countries to conquer this industry as the world's halal market stood at US$25
trillion, annually.
"More than half of the 600 million population in this region are Muslims,
hence, we are on the right track to produce halal food.
"Asean countries are also known as the kitchen of the world," he said in a
keynote speech at the "World of Halal Science, Industry and Business
International Conference 2011", here Thursday.
Meanwhile, Dr Nor Azman Ngah, General Manager, Infrastructure and Investment
Investor Support Service, Halal Industry Development Corporation Sdn Bhd, told
reporters every country needs to find their strength and level of capability in
the halal industry.
"Asean countries should also capitalise upon their complementarities
and collaborate among themselves to attain economies of scale in production to
compete in the global market," he added.
On the potential for Malaysia to tap this industry, he said there were
immense opportunities to expand the trade and investment of halal products under
the Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA).
"Via AFTA, we can undertake reverse investment such as in Indonesia, Laos
and Cambodia by taking advantage of their cheap production cost, labour and
greater market size," he added.
He also said the output from such reverse investment can be marketed
domestically, exported back to Asean nations and third world countries such as
the Middle East and North Asia.
Dr Nor Azman said AFTA definitely would bring large numbers of halal
products from other Asean countries into Malaysia and vice versa.
He believed it would not be difficult for Malaysia to penetrate the Asean
Muslim market as it enjoyed high credibility in the halal industry.
-- BERNAMA
