KUANTAN, April 19 — The First Rolling Plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) has allocated RM28.8 million for projects and programmes to develop the halal industry, Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah said.
He said this year’s allocation was channelled to the Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry (KUSKOP), Islamic Development Department (JAKIM), and Halal Development Corporation (HDC).
Among the approved projects and programmes are those focusing on the development of halal innovation and technology, the facilitation of halal certification, and the strengthening of halal integrity, such as the development of JAKIM’s My e-Halal system.
“With the funding and financing support provided, halal industry players are expected to build business capacity and, in turn, contribute to the development of the nation’s halal industry,” he said at the Pahang International East Coast Entrepreneurial Summit (PIECES), held in conjunction with the Malaysia East Coast Trade and Entrepreneur Expo 2026, here yesterday.
Meanwhile, when met by Bernama, the deputy minister said Pahang had great potential to strengthen the halal industry due to its strategic location and logistical advantages.
Therefore, he hoped industry players would be ready to make use of logistics infrastructure such as the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, which is expected to be operational next year.
“The facilities are in place, and the industry must be developed as quickly as possible. The Economy Ministry sees that Pahang already has strengths, but we need synergy; don’t work in silos.
“Besides that, we must seize the opportunities available and, most importantly, be aggressive. Don’t let these opportunities go to waste for local youth and entrepreneurs,” Shahar added.
