For halal industry players in Malaysia, this May witnessed two major events, the inaugural World Halal Forum and the third Malaysian International Halal Showcase, highlighting the country's more aggressive efforts to market its halal business.

Malaysia expressed its aspiration to become a global hub for the production and distribution of halal goods and services years ago. Believing more business opportunities to be grasped, the government has recently announced the formation of the Halal Industry Development Corporation and reaffirmed its determination to play a leading role in the halal industry.

"Malaysia therefore stands ready to take on a leading position in developing the global halal industry further," said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last week.

ROSY PROSPECTS FOR HALAL INDUSTRY

Local authorities estimate global trade in the halal food is worth more than 500 billion U.S. dollars annually. With the growth of the Muslim population worldwide, which now stands at around 1.8 billion, the potential of halal food market is indeed immense, said Malaysian officials on various occasions.

What's more, the concept of Halal is not confined to food itself. The halal products and services also include cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, clothing, financial services and even tour packages.

The trade in halal products could potentially hit one trillion U.S. dollars annually, said Chairman of the World Halal Forum, Khairy Jamaluddin.

While encouraging local companies to eye overseas markets, officials have never forgotten to remind them that halal products serve not only Muslim consumers.

The halal products have become increasingly popular among non- Muslims worldwide, as the concept of halal is associated with what is good, healthy, safe and of high quality, said Badawi.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

To transform Malaysia into a production and distribution hub of halal products, officials have promised to continue to upgrade the necessary infrastructure to attract more traders and investors.

Currently, halal food production zones are operating or being built in at least six states in the country, and a halal products distribution hub has been built at a duty-free shipment zone in the southernmost state of Johor, according to local media reports.

Last month, Prime Minister Badawi launched the newest halal hub in the northern Perlis state. With a cost of about 2.73 million U. S. dollars, the hub will be a processing and marketing center for halal food as well as other products.

The international halal showcase, concluded here last week, is also a successful effort to market Malaysia as the distribution center of halal products.

According to official statistics, the five-day exhibition saw the participation of 487 exhibitors from about 20 countries and regions and attracted 209 buyers from about 27 countries and regions.

PROMOTE MALAYSIAN HALAL STANDARDS

As early as 2004, Malaysia worked out its own halal standard ( MS 1500; 2004), which officials said meets both the requirements of the Muslim community and international health and safety standards.

Malaysia views its certification standard as a strength over other competing countries and hopes it could be recognized as the benchmark for the global standard.

"As the halal market continues to grow in strength and diversity, the need for globally accepted best practices and standards for auditing and certification of 'halal' become increasingly apparent," said Badawi.

Malaysia seeks to extend its role in the halal sector through working towards developing global standards and best practices within the larger halal industry market place, said Badawi.

The development of the halal industry has been written into the Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010). In a broader picture, it is also part of the government's efforts to revitalize the agricultural sector and create a new source of wealth and economic growth for the nation.

Source: Xinhua