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Last Updated: Jun 25th, 2007 - 17:07:26 |
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Multinationals intending to set up operations in Malaysia are often put off by the long and tedious process to get halal certification. |
KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 (Bernama) -- The Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) will soon submit a Cabinet paper to take over the halal certification functions now being handled jointly by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and the Health Ministry.
Its managing director and chief executive officer, Datuk Jamil Bidin, said today there is a need to expedite the certification process to six months from the present nine months.
Multinationals intending to set up operations in Malaysia are often put off by the long and tedious process to get halal certification, he said at a luncheon with senior editors at Carcosa Seri Negara here.
Jamil said there is a need to make the process simpler and as such HDC will outline its proposals to the Cabinet to further enhance the development of the halal food and services industry in Malaysia.
In his speech at the luncheon hosted by the World Halal Forum (WHF) 2007, he said HDC, which was set up last September, is a testimony to the vision of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
"His (Abdullah's) ideas, foresight and willpower have steered a swift and speedy incorporation of HDC. Our task is nothing less than to bring to fruition the Prime Minister's vision for Malaysia to become a global halal hub," Jamil said.
Noting that HDC is still in the fact-finding stage, he said: "We are working hard in collecting information from various authorities in Malaysia and around the world as well as holding discussions with industry players.
"We are learning many different halal applications and definitions as fast as we can, whilst steering the early days of HDC through uncharted waters."
HDC's task, he explained, is to nurture and develop the local industry players towards playing an important role in the national economy, and it has identified three specific areas of focus - halal integrity, capacity building, and branding and promotions.
"HDC is 100 per cent committed to the success of our mission, and to realise the Prime Minister's vision as a global centre of halal excellence," he stressed.
On WHF 2007, Jamil said: "Playing host to the best and brightest decision-makers in various industries immediately positions Malaysia at the very core of this unfolding market."
It also confirms Malaysia's leadership role as developers of halal market expertise in such matters as standards, certification, research and market intelligence, and exposes the domestic players to some of the best ideas and practices in the industry, he added.
WHF 2007, themed "Harmonising the Global Halal Market," will be held on May 7-8 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
-- BERNAMA
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