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.