KUALA LUMPUR: Putrajaya will study any potential impact the new US administration will have on Malaysia’s exports of halal products, the Dewan Rakyat heard.
Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong said there has been growing demand for halal products in the international market.
“The future of halal products is bright,” he said during Question Time on Monday (March 3).
“There is a possibility (of) an impact if it involves exports to the United States. A study will be conducted (on this),” he added, but gave an assurance that halal exports to other countries would not be affected.
Yusuf Abd Wahab (GPS-Tanjung Manis) had asked about the prospects of Malaysia’s halal industry following Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Liew said there are 14 industry hubs with Halal Malaysia (Halmas) status nationwide.
He added that 5,484.8ha (13,553.1 acres) of land had been alloted for halal trading and 15.3% of it has been developed so far, raking in RM16.75bil in investments from 2012 until last year.
Key sectors for halal production include food and beverage, cosmetics and personal care, he said.
According to Liew, there are 361 companies comprising 51 multinationals and 310 domestic SMEs operating in the country's halal industry.
