Perak food industrial park to harness Jakim’s standards, China’s processing methods
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s halal industry is set to elevate its global influence with the development of a cutting-edge halal food industrial park in Perak.
Spanning an area of 60ha, the development agreement for the China-Malaysia Halal Food Industrial Park was signed on Thursday between China-Malaysia Investment Holding Group chairman Liang Jun and Perak Islamic Economic Development Corporation chief executive officer Amirul Hakim Abdullah.
The ceremony was witnessed by corporation chairman Prof Datuk Dr Ansary Ahmed, Malaysia-China Business Council director Datuk Beh Hang Kong and China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park (CMQIP) management committee deputy director Zuo Kongtian.
The project is expected to harness the reach of Malaysia’s halal certification and China’s food processing and supply chain management expertise, creating a dynamic hub for research, production, certification and trade in the halal sector.
Beh, who is also CMQIP deputy board chairman, said that once the industrial park is completed, it will facilitate in-depth collaboration between Malaysia and China in halal food export processing, standard mutual recognition and brand co-construction.
“This collaboration seeks to merge the strategic advantages of the CMQIP with the global reach of Malaysia’s halal certification, recognised in 56 countries and regions.
“The China-Malaysia Investment Holding Group aims to establish a halal food industrial park within the Qinzhou Industrial Park, adhering to the standards set by Malaysia’s Islamic Development Department (Jakim).
“This initiative will leverage its status as an Asean-serving international hub port, the efficient transport of the China-Europe freight train, and comprehensive cold chain logistics and bonded warehousing, alongside rich agricultural resources and cross-border industries like bird’s nest and palm oil.
“It will enhance the synergy of Malaysia-China speciality industries, boost the ‘Two Countries, Twin Parks’ competitiveness in the global halal food processing and trade market and invigorate the halal industry in both nations,” he said in an interview yesterday.
According to the agreement, both parties will jointly invest in the construction of a halal food industrial park, attracting halal food production and processing projects from Malaysia and Asean countries.
The park will offer services in trade, processing, logistics, warehousing and halal certification for halal product manufacturers.
Additionally, a centre for halal food certification and a halal food talent training base will be established to provide consultancy services for halal product certification and professional talent assurance, promoting the entry of the park’s halal products into international markets.
“The halal food industrial park will enhance the processing and certification of agricultural and seafood resources from China, Malaysia, Asean and South America.
“These products will be distributed through established supply chains and logistics, using the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and China-Europe freight trains, reaching Asean, the Middle East, Central Asia and Europe.
“This development will boost Perak’s international business and expedite the China-Malaysia Investment Holding Group’s integration into domestic and international markets, supporting the Belt and Road Initiative and the trade corridor’s growth,” said Beh.
Beh noted that the China-Malaysia Halal Food Industrial Park was also one of the 13 key cooperation projects signed between Malaysian and Chinese entities during a ceremony in Kuantan on Friday.
The event was attended by Transport Minister Anthony Loke (pic).
Loke, in his speech, said Malaysia will deepen its collaboration with Guangxi, China, in transport, economy and trade, focusing on enhancing connectivity at Kuantan Port, advancing intelligent transport technology, and developing regional logistics networks.
With a solid foundation already established between Kuantan Port and China’s Guangxi Beibu Gulf Port, he said both nations aim to broaden their collaborative efforts.
With the East Coast Rail Link project expected to be completed by 2027, Loke said Kuantan Port will become a crucial hub connecting the east and west coasts of Peninsular Malaysia, further expanding trade channels with China and Asean countries.
He highlighted Guangxi’s strategic value in Malaysia-China cooperation as China’s only region bordering Asean by land and sea.
