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.

World Halal Conference to include discussions on e-commerce, globalisation

Source: HDC.

Halal and e-commerce will be a key topic discussed at this year’s World Halal Conference, held by Malaysia's Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) on March 30 and 31 2016 with the theme Halal at the Forefront of Economic and Social Change.

The two-day conference will focus on 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. More than 800 Halal stakeholders and foreign delegates are expected to participate in the conference.

Other discussions include an Ambassadors Panel on Strategic Foresight on Economic & Social Aspects, and Globalization of Islamic Economy: The Halal Perspectives. Panellists for the discussions will comprise several heads of governments and corporate leaders, including from the UAE, Turkey, Japan, China, Korea, Qatar, Thailand, the UK and Indonesia.

Source: HDC. Dato' Seri Jamil Bidin.

“For many Muslims, halal goes beyond food and trade; it is a way of life. With Malaysia being recognised as the leader in the global halal arena, it is important for us to push forward and align our efforts simultaneously with key players of the industry, in meeting the consumer needs of Muslims worldwide,” said HDC’s Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Seri Jamil Bidin. "This conference seeks to converge and inspire ideas from all around the world in addressing the current issues and challenges as well as incorporating halal perspectives into socio-economic developments."

This year’s World Halal Week has the theme Beyond the Economy, reflecting Malaysia's continuing efforts to identify the untapped potential of the halal industry beyond trade and commercial values. 

Interested?

Read the Suroor Asia blog posts on highlights for the World Halal Conference and on MIHAS 2016

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World Halal Conference 2016 to discuss halal as a catalyst for change

The Halal Development Corporation will hold its 9th Annual World Halal Conference (WHC) on March 30 and 31 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia. Given the tremendous growth of the global halal industry and its impact on the economic and social landscape, this year’s conference is themed Halal at the forefront of Economic and Social Change.

The two-day conference will focus on 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. Highlights include:

 A Global Leaders Panel Session

 A Ministerial Roundtable Session

 Concurrent plenary sessions on specific components within the halal ecosystem, including about youth, women's empowerment, e-commerce and halal talent

 A Business Networking Galleria by WHC collaborating partners.

According to the organisers, the halal industry is worth approximately US$2.3 trillion today, and growing strong. As the halal economy comprises more than 70 core countries, a platform such as the World Halal Conference enables the community to discuss issues and challenges related to the development of the global halal industry.

Countries producing halal products and services are already finding ways to create better multilateral trade and investment for the industry. Deliberations to create a global halal trade network are in the pipeline, as it generates investment opportunities and strengthens multilateral trade among halal based industries. Bilateral trade agreements in the areas of eliminating tariffs, import quotas, export restraints and other trade barriers could contribute to the creation of an international industry worth US$3.7 trillion by 2019, as reported in the Global Islamic Economy Report 2014-2015.

More than 800 halal stakeholders and foreign delegates are expected to participate in the conference. Tun Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi, the patron of the World Halal Conference, and the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, will give the welcoming remarks. The keynote will be delivered by The Right Honourable Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.

A special address entitled Youth, Lifestyle and Halal will also be given by The Honourable Khairy Jamaluddin, Minister of Youth and Sports of Malaysia. His address will emphasise the importance of youths in developing the halal industry, and how the industry can reap lucrative business prospects for young entrepreneurs.

One of main topics that will be deliberated this year is women and youth empowerment, which will discuss the significant involvement and progression of women and youth in the halal industry, and how their decisions and purchasing power have changed the balance of the social and economic aspects of the halal world. They are becoming more influential with top business ideas in the field of consumer products, savvy technology and lifestyle.

The two keynote speakers of this session will be Dato’ Dr Norraesah Binti Haji Mohamad, Chairman, WIEF Businesswomen Network Malaysia and Loubna Amhair, Member of the House of Representatives, Morocco.

Interested?

The 9th Annual World Halal Conference will run from 30 to 31 March 2016 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia. Admission is free but by invitation only. Qualified registrants will receive invitations. Register

View photos of the 2015 conference

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about MIHAS 2016
Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the World Halal Summit 2015
Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the World Halal Conference 2014

QDB, ICD to collaborate on boosting SME sector

Source: ICD. The MoU was signed by (from left) Khaled Mohammed Al-Aboodi, the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of the ICD, and Abdulaziz Nasser Al Khalifa, the Chief Executive Officer of QDB.

Qatar Development Bank (QDB) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), the private sector arm of Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group. The new agreement is a joint strategic collaboration in examining innovative means and opportunities to support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Qatar.

The MoU commits the two institutions to share knowledge and expertise relating to the SME sector in Qatar. A workgroup composed of key stakeholders and experts from each party will be formed in order to work on the feasibility of co-developing an investment and financing vehicle that will focus on supporting and developing SMEs and local businesses. The preliminary work to be undertaken by the joint parties will cover, although be not limited to, the following: concept design, market analysis, structure and governance, as well as potential positioning and product development. The MoU will enhance the ability of the organisations to achieve their respective objectives and mandates.

Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Al-Khalifa, CEO of QDB said: "Qatar Development Bank aims to empower local SMEs and entrepreneurs to help achieve Qatar’s National Vision 2030. Through this memorandum QDB will conduct a compatibility study for ICD programmes, and find the best applicable ways to utilise the findings in supporting the local SMEs, especially in providing funds to this important and vital sector, in order to develop the skills of the Qatari entrepreneurs and empower them to grow and compete successfully in the regional markets, in accordance with international standards."

Khaled Al-Aboodi, the CEO of ICD, said: “ICD and QDB share a mission of supporting the private sector, in particular SMEs. We look forward to enhancing our cooperation through this new and innovative initiative as there are great opportunities for local businesses to benefit."

ICD and OJSC Agroinvestbank sign MoU for SME financing

Source: ICD. ICD signs MoU with OJSC Agroinvestbank for financing facility.

The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) and OJSC Agroinvestbank of the Republic of Tajikistan have signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation to consider the extension of a financing facility to the bank as part of the allocation of US$25 million for Tajikistan.

The line of financing will be extended by OJSC Agroinvestbank to the SME sector for industrial, communication, technology, health, construction and agricultural projects. 

Khaled Al Aboodi, the CEO and General Manager of ICD, commented: “The small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have a crucial role to play in a country’s growth and development, and ICD has big plans for them. This is an important sector in all the member countries, including the higher income ones. ICD is now focusing on this sector by extending lines of finance to local banks in addition to the establishment of ASR Leasing Company in Tajikistan - a company specialised to provide shari'ah compliant leasing products to the SME sector.”

ICD previously extended a total of US$11.5 million in financing for the development of SMEs in Tajikistan which demonstrates ICD’s commitment to develop the private sector in its member countries.

The Chairman of OJSC Agroinvestbank said, "The close and mutual fruitful cooperation between Agroinvestbank and ICD positively affects the development of the economy of the Republic of Tajikistan through financing SMEs in key sectors such as agricultural, industry, construction and etc. The Islamic banking products have a huge potential to meet the increasing demand for long term financing of SME in Tajikistan. In this regard, the signing of present MoU is a step towards strengthening and deepening our further collaboration in context of development of the economy of the Republic of Tajikistan and enabling SMEs access to finance.”

Hamad Medical Corporation announces Eid hours for its facilities in Qatar

Hamad Medical Corporation has announced operating hours for its hospitals during the Eid Al-Fitr holidays as follows, the Qatar News Agency has reported:

Hamad General Hospital’s (HGH) Outpatient Department (OPD) clinics and pharmacy will be closed from 16 to 20 July and will reopen on 21 July. 

Patients already booked for some clinics will be contacted individually to confirm their appointments, and those clinics will operate from 7 am to 3 pm. The OPD pharmacy will be open when any of the clinics are open. The laboratory, radiology, and other diagnostics services will have coverage daily. The HGH’s Medical Records Department will remain open 24x7.

Al Wakra Hospital’s (AWH's) outpatient clinics and pharmacy (including the women’s pharmacy) will be closed on 16 to 19 July. Some outpatient clinics (morning and evening) will resume on 20 to 23 July from 7 am to 3 pm. The hospital’s main outpatient pharmacy will be open from 20 to 23 July from 7 am to 3 pm. Normal operations resume on 26 July.

AWH’s Emergency Department will remain open. The labor room, neonatal intensive care unit and pediatric intensive care unit will continue to operate fully while the Pediatric outpatient department (OPD) will tentatively open from 20 to 23 July. The Obstetrics/Gynecology OPD will be open on 22 and 23 July while its emergency section will run as usual. Operating theaters will be available for emergency elective surgeries after the Eid holidays.

The Women’s Hospital’s OPD clinics will operate from 9 am to 1 pm from 19 to 23 July. The hospital’s pharmacy will operate as usual 24 hours throughout the holidays.

The Cuban Hospital’s (TCH) OPD clinics and pharmacy will be closed from 16 to 19 July and will reopen on 20 July. Patients booked for selected outpatient clinics will be contacted individually to confirm their appointments. The OPD pharmacy will be open when any clinics are open.

TCH’s Emergency Department including the pharmacy will remain open 24x7 including for the dispensing of urgent prescription refills. After hours only emergency dental work and temporary fillings will be handled. Operating theaters will be available for emergency cases over the holidays.

Al Khor Hospital’s OPD clinics will be closed throughout the Eid break. The Accident and Emergency Department Pharmacy will be open 24 hours. All urgent cases, including medications refill, during this period should proceed directly to the Emergency units.

Heart Hospital’s OPD will be closed from 17 to 25 July. It will resume operations on 26 July from 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm. However, The OPD will operate two consultation clinics and one warfarin clinic on 22 and 23 July.

At Rumailah Hospital, the Dermatology Clinic will open only on 19 and 20 July from 9 am to 12 noon. The Communicable Diseases clinics will operate throughout the break every Sunday to Thursday from 7 am to 3 pm. The Dentistry Clinic will be open only on 21, 22 and 23 July from 8 am to 2 pm.

The Psychiatry Department’s OPD clinics will be closed throughout the Eid break. The clinics will resume on 20 to 23 July from 7 am to 3 pm. The Community Mental Health Services adult outreach will operate as usual from 7 am to 3 pm and old age outreach services will function as usual.

Most of the services in the National Center for Cancer Care and Research will run as usual during the Eid holidays. The Day Care Unit will be closed on 18 and 19 July while the OPD will be closed on 19 and 20 July. The Urgent Care Unit will operate 24x7.

The Referral and Booking Management System and the Hamad Patient Contact Center will continue to remind patients of appointments by phone and text message.

Malaysia's SIDC has trained 400 professionals for the Islamic capital market to date

Source: SIDC. ICMGTS graduates posing with VIP guests at the tenth ICMGTS graduation ceremony. VIP guests (seated, from left in fourth position): Azman Hisham Che Doi, Chief Executive Officer, SIDC, Zainal Izlan, Executive Director, Islamic Capital Market, SC, and Sarimah Ramthandin, Director, Training and Investor Education Division, SIDC.

The Securities Industry Development Corporation (SIDC) has passed the milestone of producing 400 entry-level professionals for the Islamic capital market (ICM) sector with the graduation of 38 Islamic Capital Market Graduate Training Scheme (ICMGTS) participants from the programme’s tenth intake in Kuala Lumpur recently.

ICMGTS is a bi-annual Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) training programme conducted by SIDC to develop young talent for careers in the ICM. The eight-week programme aims to provide participants with a technical understanding of the ICM and work-relevant soft skills. It is endorsed by an industry task force consisting of the SC, Bursa Malaysia, the Federation of Investment Managers Malaysia (FIMM), Association of Stockbroking Companies Malaysia (ASCM), Malaysian Investment Banking Association (MIBA) and Malaysian Association of Asset Managers (MAAM).

SIDC Chief Executive Officer Azman Hisham Che Doi, who presented awards at the graduation ceremony to recognise the best performers, said, “ICMGTS is one of SIDC’s many successful talent development programmes to support the growth of the Malaysian capital market industry. To date, approximately 85% of the ICMGTS alumni have been accepted as part of the industry’s workforce, indicating the relevance and importance of the programme.
 
“SIDC programmes aim to enhance the competencies of market professionals, who play an important role in promoting competitiveness in the Malaysian capital market as well as creating investor confidence. Recognising this, SIDC works closely with all stakeholders including the regulator, exchanges, intermediaries, industry players and investors to provide value proposition in the programmes we offer.”

Applications are now open for the eleventh ICMGTS intake, commencing August 2014. All Malaysians aged 30 years and below with a recognised second class upper degree or equivalent in related disciplines are eligible to apply. Successful candidates will receive a monthly allowance of RM2,000 during the training period. The programme also offers participants the opportunity to be interviewed by potential employers as well as sit for the SC’s licensing examinations to qualify as licensed intermediaries.

Detailed application information is available at www.sidc.com.my.

Malaysia's HDC and Kumamoto City in Japan agree to collaborate on halal initiatives

The Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) of Malaysia has signed an agreement with Kumamoto City of Japan and A-Commerce on 9 April at the World Halal Conference 2014 to pursue collaborations in the interest of developing the halal industry in both countries. Japan is Malaysia's fifth-highest trading partner in the halal industry, bringing in an export value of RM1.9 billion in 2013.  
 
Under the agreement all three parties are regarded as strategic partners where awareness of the concept of 'halal', halal components and the halal brand will be introduced to Japanese markets through HDC.

The agreement also aims to explore opportunities to develop, support and enrich the development of the human capital industry that will be of benefit to both countries.

A-Commerce is a professional business advisor to various local government bodies in Japan and renders support to the development of the halal industry in Japan.