KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government is committed to empowering the state’s halal industry and in the process support small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (pic) said these efforts, facilitated through the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis), are in line with the government’s agenda to enhance and expand the halal industry in the state.
With halal certification, he said, SME entrepreneurs would be able to showcase and market their products domestically as well as internationally.
He said this certification is a vital element to convince customers that their products are safe to consume or use, adding that it also puts a stamp of quality on cleanliness and compliance with syariah principles.
“I hope that the efforts by Muis, which has introduced and taken a drastic approach to help SMEs in obtaining halal certification through the Cottage Industry Halal Certificate (SHIK) initiative, will be extended statewide,” Hajiji said in a speech read out by state Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohd Arifin Arif at the Sabah International Halal Expo 2024 yesterday.
The SHIK programme, he said, targets entrepreneurs who may not have dedicated facilities or permanent factories to manufacture or process their products.
“This will definitely help SMEs promote their products more extensively.
“I hope entrepreneurs will seize the opportunity to obtain the Halal Malaysia certificate through SHIK and further develop their businesses,” he added.
Hajiji said the expo is an ideal platform to showcase local products that have been certified halal by Muis through its halal hub programme.
He said halal certification is not only limited to the food and beverage industry but also covers products and services involving healthcare, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and tourism.
