Malaysia's HDC identifies way forward for halal economy

Source: WHC.  Tan Sri Dato' Dr Syed
Jalaludin.

More than 1,000 delegates converged at this year’s 9th annual World Halal Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Centred on the theme Halal at the Forefront of Social and Economic Change, the conference furthered insights and knowledge of the halal industry.

The event was graced by YAB Tun Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi, the patron of the World Halal Conference, who gave the opening remarks during the conference. A main conference was also hosted with a Ministerial Panel chaired by Yang Berhormat Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, the Minister of International Trade & Industry Malaysia. Other sessions included a Global Leaders Panel Session, several concurrent plenary sessions on specific components within the halal ecosystem such as e-commerce, youth and women’s empowerment, and a Business Networking Galleria hosted by collaborating partners of WHC.

This year’s conference saw the collaboration of several partners including the Islamic Development Bank, Nestle Malaysia, Agro Bank, Ramly, Chemical Company of Malaysia (CCM), East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC), Kuala Lumpur Malay Chamber of Commerce, Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA), and Sugarscarf.

“We are honoured to see such strong commitment from our industry partners, together with the participation of foreign delegates and renowned speakers who have made this year’s conference a success. We urge for their continuous support; together we can take the halal industry to new heights, both internationally and locally,” said Tan Sri Dato' Dr Syed Jalaludin Bin Syed Salim, Chairman of the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC).

The conference also saw the strategic alliance of HDC with various SMEs with the aim of uplifting the local halal economy. These included a memorandum of understanding between HDC and Nestle Malaysia that focused on building local productive capacity, enhancing social inclusion, and promoting environmental sustainability.

Despite the lacklustre prediction of the global economic sphere, the demand for halal products remain positive. Malaysia stands as the biggest halal exporter next to China with an increase of 4% in its export value in 2015.

“Indeed the Halal Industry Development Corporation has grown by leaps and bounds since its foundation 10 years ago; it is of utmost importance that we sustain the halal momentum and drive its growth even further,” adds Jalaludin.

Muslim youths pave the path to socioeconomic change

Source: WHC. Khairy.

Malaysia has held a reputation as a halal leader, and it is now crucial for the country to meet the need for young talent in the booming halal Industry, said the honourable Khairy Jamaluddin, Minister of Youth and Sports of Malaysia, in a special address at the World Halal Conference 2016 which is hosted by the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC). 

In a speech titled Youth: The Halal Industry Successor Khairy said: “It is of extreme importance that the youth are engaged as the halal industry matures. They should take the opportunity to be involved in the industry in contributing to the growth of the halal economy locally and internationally, especially with the aid of the halal innovation ventures.”

Khairy also said that as youth embrace technology such as social media, this lifestyle should be supported by the halal industry. He said, "Many young Muslims affirm that religion plays a prime role in shaping one’s character. Muslim youths who are the future drivers of the Muslim world should be at pace with the rest of the world in terms of technology and social exposure; yet remain steadfast in practicing Islam.”

The two-day conference, themed Halal at the Forefront of Economic and Social Change is expected to host more than 1,000 halal stakeholders and foreign delegates. With a Ministerial Panel chaired by Yang Berhomat Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, the Minister of International Trade & Industry Malaysia, a global leaders panel session, several concurrent plenary sessions on specific components within the halal ecosystem, e-commerce, youth and a Business Networking Galleria by collaborating partners of World Halal Conference. The conference will also see various aspects of the halal industry including the challenges facing the global halal economy, the rise of halal e-commerce and new business opportunities, and the need to develop talent.

World Halal Summit 2015 to focus on energising the halal ecosystem

The World Halal Summit (WHS), a central platform for marketing and promoting halal goods and services covering various different areas of the supply chain from raw materials to ingredients to ready products, will run from 30 March to 4 April at KLCC in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

The 2015 theme, Energising the Halal Ecosystem, has been chosen to reflect the world’s steadfast mission in exploring and identifying the untapped potential when the best minds are brought together to exchange and share halal-related knowledge and findings, connect and explore common terms, and unite halal certification bodies in accelerating the development of the halal industry and market globally. 

The event has been designed to enable business-matching and information sharing, with six subject-focused conferences targeted to gather the world’s top change agents in halal-related sectors under one roof:

Scholars Forum

The Scholars Forum, 1 to 3 April, is a platform for scholars and community leaders to discuss the halal market and the wider Islamic economy. 

Certifiers Forum

The Certifiers Forum from 1 to 3 April is a meeting place for independent halal certification bodies and standards development agencies to explore new avenues towards collaborative common ground. 

Academics Forum

To be held 1 to 3 April, the Academics Forum focuses on education, training programmes and modules, the roles of academia, as well as other disciplines relevant to the global halal industry. 

Business Forum

The significance of the Islamic economy is increasingly being highlighted. This Forum, from 1 to 3 April, aims to explore the way forward. According to the organisers, 2013 global figures for the following market segments are substantial:

• Halal food at US$1.3 trillion
• Modest fashion at US$266 billion
• Halal-friendly travel at US$140 billion, excluding Hajj and umrah
• Media and recreation at US$185 billion
• Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics at US$72 billion
• Islamic finance at US$1.66 trillion.

Source: WHS website.

6th JAKIM International Halal Certification Bodies Convention

This closed-door convention on 31 March is hosted by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) will gather all JAKIM-recognised halal certification bodies from around the world to strengthen cordial relationship and exchange opinions on halal certification issues based on the Malaysian Halal Standard.

World Halal Conference

World Halal Conference (WHC) 2015, 1 to 2 April, is engineered towards the creation of new technologies and business opportunities for the halal economy. The two-day conference shares advancements in halal research and their applications in business. 

In addition to the conferences, WHS also features MIHAS, an annual trade fair held every second quarter of the year. The Malaysia International Halal Showcase or MIHAS is an annual trade fair conceptualised to facilitate the sourcing and selling of quality halal products and services globally. MIHAS 2014 saw 463 exhibitors from 30 countries and attracted 18,223 visitors from 65 countries. More than RM200 million of immediate sales is generated annually. MIHAS 2015 will run from 1 to 4 April 2015 at KLCC. 

WHS is hosted by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and is organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) and JAKIM with International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) as strategic partners. The event is managed by Shapers Malaysia.