PUTRAJAYA: The Halal Industrial Park Improvement Task Committee meeting on Tuesday agreed on the appointment of Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC) as the secretariat to the committee and the Secretariat of the Malaysian Halal Council.
Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Halal Industry Development Council (MPIH), Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it is because a holistic approach needs to be taken considering the potential and wide demand for halal products that local industry players should utilise.
"Special attention must be given to developing the Halal Industry so that it can become a hub for the production and distribution of Halal products to meet the growing demand in the local and international markets,” he said in a statement after chairing the Halal Industrial Park Improvement Task Force Meeting on Tuesday (Aug 27).
The meeting was aimed at discussing the Industrial Park Improvement initiative Halal HALMAS as a follow-up to the MPIH that was held last June 10.
He said, a successful halal industrial park must have a positive spillover effect on the national economy and the development of all 14 halal industrial parks with a total area of 5,476 hectares will be able to attract local investment and foreigners, further creating more job opportunities and contributing to economic growth.
"At the same time, only three out of 14 halal industrial parks have recorded a percentage of land use exceeding 70%, which is in POIC Tanjung Langsat, Techpark @Enstek and Melaka Halal Hub recommendations to improve its effectiveness,” said Ahmad Zahid.
HALMAS is an accreditation offered to Halal Park operators who successfully comply with the guidelines set under HDC Halal Park development.
HALMAS status allows industry players and investors to enjoy the incentives offered by HDC.
In addition, Ahmad Zahid said Tuesday's meeting identified several issues such as the lack of incentives and clear guidance for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, insufficient infrastructure facilities, limited public transport networks and lack of promotional strategies in efforts to attract foreign investors.
"Finally, I urge the Federal Government, State Government, agencies and operators to cooperate in developing a halal industrial park. I am confident that the comprehensive strategy and integrated cooperation will be able to contribute towards the development and optimal use of the halal industrial park,” he said. - Bernama
TAGS: Ahmad Zahid, HDC, halal, MPIH, halal industrial park
