KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 — Several efforts involving cooperation between Asean countries are being implemented to promote halal-related products and services, according to the Investment, Trade, and Industry Ministry (Miti).
These initiatives include the Asean Working Group on Halal Food involving all Asean countries, the Working Group on Halal Products and Services under the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle Initiative, and the Informal Annual Meeting of the Ministers of Religious Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
The promotion efforts of the Asean halal sector are also supported by the Malaysia Technical Cooperation Programme, which is a programme aimed at sharing experiences and expertise with developing countries, it said in a written response published on the Parliament's website today.
Miti was responding to Kemaman MP Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar's query on the efforts and cooperation made by the government to expand the halal industry among Asean countries, considering that this industry is now estimated to be worth up to US$2 trillion (RM8.6 trillion) internationally.
Locally, the government is striving to expedite the issuance of halal certificates and develop local industries based on halal products to make them more competitive and resilient.
"These measures are expected to enhance halal production and exports as targeted in the Halal Industry Master Plan 2030," it said.
Miti has also proposed that industry players optimise the various free trade agreements participated by Malaysia, which provide access to international markets with low duties, including the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement and the Asean-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
— Bernama
