Zahid: More non-bumi companies have halal cert compared to bumi

PARLIAMENT | Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi revealed that more non-bumiputera companies have halal certification compared to bumiputera companies.

He told the Dewan Rakyat this morning that only 3,619 bumiputera companies, or 39.6 percent of the total, are certified as halal while 5,720 non-bumiputera companies have the certification.

“To increase the involvement of bumiputera companies in the halal industry, the Halal Industry Master Plan 2030 has outlined a core strategy that focuses on encouraging the increase in competitiveness of bumiputera companies.

"Halal Development Corp has carried out various efforts including development programmes involving local companies.

"Through the platform, bumiputera companies will be given the opportunity to venture into the halal sector with high potential to strengthen the supply chain and adapt digital technology and the commercialisation of innovative products," Zahid, who is also the Halal Industry Development Council chairperson, said.

As of July this year, 9,146 companies have received halal certification from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia, he added.

“From that total, 8,105 are small and medium-sized enterprises,” he said.

Shift focus

Besides that, he said the focus of local halal companies must shift away from the food and beverage industry in order for the local halal industry to go international.

This includes industries such as halal vaccines and ingredients for halal products such as cosmetics, he added.

He admitted that efforts have been made in that direction, but they were on a small scale.

“The Halal Industry Development Council is coordinating with parties at the state level and other agencies so that abandoned and underutilised land can be used for planting and to produce ingredients needed for halal products at the international level,” he said. - Mkini