Petron station
MANILA: Philippines’ food and beverage company, San Miguel PureFoods Co, is keen to set up a trading facility in Malaysia to tap the country’s halal market.
Its president, Francisco S. Alego III, said a feasibility study would be undertaken and the products would be brought to the Malaysian market.
He said in addition to cater to the local market, the food processing arm of San Miguel would also set its sight to make this facility a hub for exports.
“I think most countries welcomed halal products that are produced in Malaysia and that’s why we are seriously looking into the possibility of setting up the facility whether to process meat, beef, or dairy products from Malaysia,” he told Malaysia reporters after a meeting with International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
At the moment, he said, Malaysia’s operation of San Miguel, via Petron Malaysia
Bhd, contributed a single digit to the group.
“This is relatively small although we see a huge opportunity in Malaysia, especially with the per capita income, Malaysia is huge.
“So, I think this meeting today is the start of a bigger thing to come between our two countries with San Miguel in the forefront,” he said.
Also present was Halal Industry Development Corp (HDC) Vice President (Industry Development), Ahmad Lokman Ibrahim.
HDC, an agency under Miti, focussing on coordinating overall development of the halal industry in Malaysia, was ready to assist San Miguel set up the facility, Ahmad Lokman said.
Malaysia, he said, has successfully developed three halal parks and would be offered to those keen to be part of the development.
“A similar model can also be developed in this country with HDC’s expertise and knowledge,” he said.
Last year, he said, Malaysia exported US$10bil (RM44.6bil) worth of halal products.
The meeting ended Mustapa’s working visit to Manila, which was held in conjunction with the 23rd Asean Economic Meeting’s (AEM) retreat which was held from March 8 to 10.
Earlier, Mustapa spent time together with local business community during a luncheon, before meeting with Secretary of Philippines Department of Trade and Industry, Ramon Lopez. - Bernama
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