Help for SMEs seeking halal status

KUALA LUMPUR: The Halal Industry Development Corp (HDC) has inked an agreement with Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to provide training to small and medium size enterprises (SMEs).




HDC chief executive officer Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin said the partnership's aim is to assist SMEs when they apply for halal certification.

"Due to lack of awareness and knowledge, sometimes SMEs fail to comply to the requirement for halal certification, that's why application takes a long time. For example, they do not give enough information on the ingredients, on cleanliness and product safety," he said during a media briefing yesterday.

Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Senator Dr Masitah Ibrahim and Jakim director-general Datuk Wan Mohamad.

Under the agreement, Jakim will provide the halal certification while HDC will provide its expertise in four areas, namely training and consultancy, industry relations and linkages, knowledge sharing and information, and promotions.

The training modules include both food and non-food items: Halal Food Training Modules, Halal Cosmetic Training Modules, Halal Logistic Training Modules and Halal Pharmaceutical Modules, which is currently being developed.

"A majority of SMEs would appreciate getting more acquainted with the halal certification process and procedures. Obtaining the right information and knowledge sharing is the objective under this joint agreement," said Jamil.

The partnership will run for a period of two years. To date, HDC has conducted a total of 482 training sessions and a total of 10,066 companies have attended its training since the prog-ramme was founded in 2007.

The contribution of halal industry to the country's gross domestic product is expected to grow to 5.8 per cent by 2020 from less than 2 per cent currently.

The growth will be driven by a rising demand for halal products and services driven by 1.7 billion global Muslim population as well as greater awareness on the industry by non-Muslims due to safety and hygiene factors.

The local halal industry, currently estimated to be valued at RM15 billion, is growing at 5 per cent annually.

Read more: Help for SMEs seeking halal status http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/hlol/Article/index_html#ixzz1KQPJ2F00

Pastikan Produk Gelatin Ada Halal

Pengguna Islam perlu peka dan berhati-hati apabila menggunakan produk berasaskan gelatin di pasaran dengan memastikan ianya memperolehi sijil halal yang dikeluarkan oleh JAKIM. Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Dato' Seri Jamil Khir bin Hj Baharom berkata, JAKIM hanya mengeluarkan sijil itu bagi produk yang seratus peratus menggunakan bahan atau sumber halal serta bebas daripada kandungan DNA babi.

Antara kategori pensijilan halal yang dikeluarkan JAKIM  ialah makanan, premis makanan, suplemen kesihatan, ubat tradisional, produk kosmetik dan produk-produk kegunaan harian yang lain. Beliau berkata, produk farmaseutikal dan ubat-ubatan yang memerlukan preskripsi doktor tidak termasuk dalam kategori disenaraikan untuk pengeluaran sijil itu.Di samping itu, JAKIM dan Jabatan Agama Islam Negeri di seluruh negara sentiasa memantau jualan semua produk suplemen kesihatan dan ubat-ubatan tradisional bagi memastikan ia bebas daripada kandungan DNA babi serta memperolehi sijil Halal.

Untuk pengetahuan semua, JAKIM hanya menamakan syarikat yang mendapat sijil halal dan tidak akan mendedahkan produk tidak halal. Sekiranya pengguna Islam berasa was-was, mereka boleh merujuk kepada JAKIM atau Biro Pengawalan Farmaseutikal Kebangsaan, Kementerian Kesihatan atau melayari laman web www.halal.gov.my      

MIHAS Poised as the World’s Largest Halal Fair

MIHAS 2011 will be kicking off its 8th showcase from April 6 to 9 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Embracing the theme “Expanding your business horizon,” MIHAS 2011 aims to reach out to the halal players in the international market.

Over the past seven years, MIHAS has succeeded in creating extensive business opportunities and networking for various halal industry players worldwide. MIHAS has also been the focal point for global traders, entrepreneurs and manufacturers to promote and launch their halal products and services.

Being positioned as an exclusive halal exhibition, MIHAS attracts a following of steadfast exhibitors and visitors. It embraces the all encompassing halal concept ranging from food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, toiletries, herbal products, cosmetics, packaging, banking and insurance.

The success of MIHAS in the past seven years have been proven through the participation of numerous foreign countries occupying more than 600 booths annually and generated a total sales of US$400 million in 2010 . “Over 32000 trade visitors from 81 countries visited MIHAS 2010. With the global economic recovery, MIHAS 2011 is expected to achieve record level in term of sales, exhibitors & visitors,” said Ms. Rusiah Mohamed, Trade Commissioner of MATRADE Rotterdam.

In conjunction with MIHAS 2011, MATRADE will be organising an Incoming Buying Mission (IBM) which will be held from 5 to 6 April at Menara MATRADE, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This programme is an integral component of MIHAS, which acts as a platform for Malaysian exporters and foreign exhibitors to meet with international buyers. MIHAS 2011 is expected to attract over 500 buyers from 50 countries.

The international business community is urged to participate in MIHAS 2011 which has established itself as the premier event frequented by the Halal business community around the globe.

About MATRADE

The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) was established on March 1, 1993 as the national trade promotion agency of Malaysia and an arm of Malaysia’s Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). Its functions are:

- To promote, assist and develop Malaysia’s external trade with particular emphasis on the export of manufactured and semi-manufactured products and services;

- To formulate and implement export marketing strategies and trade promotion activities to promote Malaysia’s export;

- To undertake commercial intelligence and market research and create a comprehensive database of information for the improvement and development of Malaysia’s trade;

- To organise training programmes to improve the international marketing skills of Malaysian exporters;

- To enhance and protect Malaysia’s international trade investment abroad; and

- To promote, facilitate and assist in the services areas related to trade.

THE HAGUE, The Netherlands - PRNewswire