KUALA LUMPUR: Establishing a Halal Commission under the Halal Development Corporation (HDC) is a strategic step to centralise and improve halal certification, to help local businesses become more competitive in domestic and international markets.
Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister, Datuk Seri R Ramanan, explained that after 2017, the ministry no longer received a specific budget for halal certification, as that responsibility now falls under the HDC's purview.
However, he said his ministry was ready to cooperate with the soon-to-be-established commission to support the sector's entrepreneurs.
"The new Halal Commission will take over all matters and assistance related to halal certification," he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Nov 12).
Ramanan was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin), who asked whether the ministry still had a role in managing halal certification.
He added that the ministry was focusing on improving product competitiveness for entrepreneurs, including better packaging and branding for all products, including halal ones.
Ramanan emphasised that his ministry was committed to strengthening the competitiveness of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through programmes that cover halal certification and quality standards.
He highlighted the Bumiputera Enterprise Enhancement Programme by SME Corp. as a key example, which aims to increase productivity, certification compliance and promotion, noting that one MSME in the pickle business received an RM500,000 grant for machinery and equipment.
Additionally, Ramanan said the Halal Entrepreneur Development Programme focuses on three key areas: certification and standards, marketing and promotion, and financial support with technical guidance.
He explained that this programme builds the capacity of halal products through better branding, packaging and labelling. At the same time, the Halal Entrepreneur Internationalisation Programme works to expand and strengthen Malaysian halal brands in international markets. – Bernama
