June 26 2010
Malaysia is helping to set a global standard for halal certification for the multi-trillion dollar industry.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that four modules of Global Halal Standard had been published to standardise the certification process.
He said it was timely to come up with such standardised format as JAKIM (Malaysia Islamic Development Department) only recognised 15% of the halal certificates issued by 300 bodies across the globe.
“The Malaysian government is offering our expertise and years of experience in halal certification and standards development.
“Malaysia seeks to amplify our role by working towards the development of global standards,’’ he said in his keynote address at the 5th World Halal Forum at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Monday.
The International Halal Integrity Alliance (IHI), an initiative born out of the World Halal Forum, had published the modules in accordance with international benchmarking and best practices, he said.
Najib said JAKIM (Malaysia Islamic Development Department), Standards Malaysia, and various international stakeholders had helped formulate the modules.
Najib also said the IHI was poised to be the global halal authority, with the mandate given by the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC).
Najib said the global halal products market was estimated at USD2.3tril (RM7.59tril), excluding the Islamic banking sector.
Najib said the bulk of the halal market share comprised food and beverage industry (67%) followed by pharmaceutical (22%), and cosmetic as well as personal care (10%).
“If we include the services sector for the halal market, and we should give this serious consideration, the potential size of the total market is astronomical,’’ he said, adding that the halal sector also encompass logistics, tourism and fashion industries.
Najib said a series of international events including the 5th World Halal Forum, 3rd World Halal Research summit, and 7th International Halal Showcase (Mihas) had been lined up in conjunction with Halal Malaysia Week.
He said Halal Week Malaysia had attracted deals and transactions worth RM2.2bil in 2008 and RM3.23bil last year.
“This year the figure is expected to exceed RM3.8bil,’’ he said. Najib said Halal Week Malaysia firmly positions Malaysia as a beacon of the Global Halal Industry, adding Malaysia is also a global player in the Islamic Finance sector.
Najib was also pleased to note the number of participants from Western world increased by the year.
This year’s forum attracted 900 participants from government and private sectors across the globe to discuss and deliberate various issues of significance to the halal industry.
