MALAYSIA POISED TO BE GLOBAL HALAL HUB

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is in a strong position to be
the global halal industry hub with its established reference point as the centre
for training, research and development (R&D), and standards.

In stating this, Halal Industry Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (HDC)
managing director and chief executive officer, Jamil Bidin, said that
having taken the lead, Malaysia has moved aggressively in the industry over the
years.

"We started with the development of standards and are now moving into
logistics, non-food products and are now way ahead of many countries in terms of
the halal industry," he said.

He was speaking at a media conference here today to announce the 6th
Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2009 which will be at the Matrade
Exhibition and Convention Centre from May 6 to 10.

Jamil said the Malaysian halal industry has the potential to contribute 5.8
percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2020, in line with the target's
set by HDC under its masterplan for the industry.

He said the global economic downturn had caused HDC to prioritise its
projects.

"This is a big industry we are pursuing and we also face stiff competition
from some countries. However, we have the edge as we started moving aggressively
in this industry way back in the 1980s," he added.

HDC was set up on Sept 18, 2006, to coordinate the overall development of
the halal industry with its focus being the development of standards, audit and
certification, capacity building for halal products and services, and to
facilitate the growth of Malaysian companies in the global halal market.

Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) chief executive
officer, Noharuddin Nordin, said the second economic stimulus budget
announced Tuesday will also help in the development of the halal industry.

"It addressed issues on the access of financing," he said during the media
conference.

Noharuddin said with the RM5 billion working capital guarantee scheme to be
established by the government, more funding will be available for small and
medium enterprises (SMEs).

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, in presenting the
mini-budget Tuesday, said that SMEs could apply for loans under the RM5
billion scheme.

-- BERNAMA