MALAYSIA: HDC Collaborates with NOKIA to Develop Halal Apps

Participants of the World Halal Research Summit 2011 today witnessed the launch of Halal Apps, an initiative put together by NOKIA, local developer TERATO and Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) by YB Datuk Mukhriz Tun Mahathir, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry.

The initiative is expected to impact on developing public awareness of Halalan Thoyyiban, a concept aimed at building a positive perception of Halal products and services.

Using Nokia technology, both HDC and NOKIA are set to educate and connect the community with the real Halal lifestyle.

Beginning this year, the Halal Apps will be promoted and targeted to reach more that 175 million Symbian Smartphone users worldwide. NOKIA is committing its resources to developing the Halal Apps in keeping with its basic philosophy to connect people.

“It is going to be an entirely new experience for the consumer and community,” said HDC CEO Dato’ Seri Jamil Bidin, whose goal is to promote Halalan Thoyyiban values in everyday living.

Everyday more than 1.3 billion people connect to one another with a NOKIA device – from mobile phones to advanced smart phones and high-performance mobile computers. The Halal Apps is a fitting example of combining advanced technology with personalized services.

According to the roll-out plan, Halal Apps consists of three main modules. Module 1 is the locator, which enables the consumer to locate Halal premises that are certified by JAKIM within a 15 km radius using GPS and Google maps.

Module 2 is a Halal directory that provides the user with a list of products, premises and abattoirs certified by JAKIM. The search can be done by state and industry size. Module 3 offers the user the latest news and events in the Halal industry and a list of ingredients and food additives.

The three-party collaboration is far-reaching and will serve the development of the Halal industry in good stead.

About Nokia Halal Apps

Nokia is committed to connecting people. One of its efforts is to combine advanced technology with personalized services that enable people to stay close to what matters to them. Every day, more than 1.3 billion people connect to one another with a Nokia device - from mobile phones to advanced smart phones and high-performance mobile computers. Today, Nokia is integrating its devices with innovative services through OVI, including music, maps, apps, email and more.

As part of the initiative to connect people, Nokia is committing its resources to work together with local Malaysia developer, TERATO and government agency, HDC to develop Halal Apps for consumers benefit around the world. The collaboration between HDC and NOKIA is expected to deliver a great impact in 2011 in terms of developing the awareness about the importance of the Halalan Thoyyiban concept and building the positive perception about Halal products and market. Using NOKIA technology, both HDC and NOKIA are aiming on educating and connecting the community with the real Halal lifestyle through a new experience that they had never see before.

This year, HDC, together with TERATO and Nokia have embarked on a journey to develop Halal Apps for the Nokia platform which is targeted to reach more than 175 million* Symbian Smartphone users worldwide. This effort is expected to incline together with HDC’s goal to promote and translating the lifestyle of Halalan Thoyyiban to consumers all around the globe.

• HDC Halal Apps

• HDC Halal Apps consists of three main modules:

• Module 1 – The Locator: This module function is to locate Halal premises which are certified by JAKIM within 15KM radius using GPS and Google Maps.

• Module 2 – Halal Directory: This module provides user with the list of products, premises and abattoirs which are certified by JAKIM. User will be able to search and filter results by states and industry sizes.

• Module 3 – Halal News and Knowledge: This module feeds user with the latest news and events revolving around Halal industry and list of ingredients and food additives (E numbers).