Local Players Urged To Continue Leading The Halal Industry

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- Local stakeholders in the halal industry should intensify investments in new areas and continue being at the forefront of the global halal industry, says Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. "What is needed is more intensive research and development as well as more innovation to find halal alternatives using palm oil derivatives to replace non-halal ingredients. "Local companies must upgrade existing facilities, step up research and development, acquire new technology and enhance marketing activities," he said at the Halal Cosmetics and Personal Care: In Trend conference here Tuesday. Present were former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Lee Chee Leong and Halal Industry Development Corporation Chief Executive Officer Jamil Bidin. Ahmad Zahid also announced his appointment as the first chairman of the Malaysia Halal Council, which was established to replace the Special Cabinet Committee on Halal Industry Management and Development. The deputy prime minister said the global halal market, valued at US$2.3 trillion annually, not only served 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide but also non-Muslim markets. "Exports of halal products have increased steadily, recording RM42 billion in 2015 from RM38 billion in 2014. (US$1=RM4.20) China, Singapore, the United States, Indonesia and Japan were the main markets for Malaysia's halal products. "Of the total exports, halal cosmetic and personal care products accounted for RM2.4 billion and they were exported to the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Singapore and the Philippines," he added. -- BERNAMA