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Last Updated: Sep 25th, 2006 - 11:36:04 |
RM100m boost to make Malaysia halal hub
By Zurinna Raja Adam
zurinnanstp.com.my
September 2 2006
THE Government has set aside almost RM100 million to help boost efforts to make Malaysia an international halal hub.
It has allocated RM50 million to set up four halal parks. They will be located in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, Gambang, Pahang; Chendering, Terengganu and Padang Besar, Perlis.
SME Bank has also been allocated RM20 million fund to finance entrepreneurs related to halal industry. Furthermore, the recently established Halal Industry Development Corporation (HIDC) will have a launching grant worth RM25 million.
The size of the global halal food and non-food (such as financial services, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics) industries is estimated at RM7.98 trillion, of which the food sector alone is worth RM570 billion.
The HIDC, which is under the Prime Minister's Department, was incorporated in May this year during the World Halal Forum (WHF).
It is responsible to develop halal standards, audit and certification procedures, and directing and coordinating the development of Malaysia's halal industry for both the public and private sectors.
WHF chairman Khairy Jamaluddin said the allocation is a good start.
"Apart from the grant and budget allocated, I hope HIDC will be given enough authority to oversee the direction of the halal industry," he told Business Times yesterday.
Khairy also suggested that the Government strengthens HIDC's role and called for non-budget incentives.
However, HIDC newly-appointed chief executive officer Datuk Jamil Bidin yesterday declined to comment.
Meanwhile, Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas) chief executive officer Mohd Shukri Abdullah praised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's move to set up a halal park in Kelantan.
"It is a refreshing move by Pak Lah to meet his vision. Halal and agriculture are among his main agenda and he has created a remarkable momentum so far with all these initiatives," he said.
Halal Journal magazine managing director Jumaatun Azmi described the budget this year as the strongest indicator from the Government since Malaysia voiced its intention to become a halal hub.
"The RM95 million allocation is a generous amount dedicated to halal. It shows Government seriousness to become a global halal hub in two years as mentioned in IMP3 (Third Industrial Master Plan)," she said.
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