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

Malaysia Introduces New Halal Pharmaceuticals Standard

Malaysia introduced a new standard for Halal pharmaceuticals today in a move to strengthen the integrity within the manufacturing and servicing of medicines and health supplements.

The new Malaysian Standard MS 2424:2010 (P): Halal Pharmaceuticals: General Guidelines will address the entire pharmaceuticals industry’s supply chain – from processing to handling, packaging, labelling, distribution, storage and display of medicines and health supplements.

In accordance to the International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) processes, a public consultation forum was held today to review the newly developed MS, in an event held in Kuala Lumpur which attracted more than 100 participants from the industry.

As of 31 January 2011, Standards Malaysia has produced a total of 6,344 MS'es.

Developed by the Industry Standards Committee on Halal Standard (ISC-I), the document has undergone every consensus-based processes with all the relevant parties including the Government, private sector, NGOs, researchers and professional bodies, as set out by ISO.

Various organisations made up the working committee of ISC-I, including Standards Malaysia, JAKIM, the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH), the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC), the National Pharmaceutical Bureau (NPCB), the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI),the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism (MDTCC), SIRIM Berhad, higher learning institutions as well as the private sector.

The new Halal pharmaceutical standard, codenamed MS2424:2010, is a general guideline that describes the requirements and critical areas in the manufacturing and handling for Halal pharmaceuticals. This national standard aims to serve as the basic document of reference for production purposes.

The introduction comes on the back of Malaysia’s current campaign to incorporate Halal considerations towards achieving an integrated Halal lifestyle, and also in line with the Strategic Reform Initiatives (SRI) for the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), where standards have been identified as one of the drivers that can propel economic activities to transform and grow the Malaysian economy.

In 2008, US-based consulting company IMS Health Inc. estimated that the global pharmaceutical market is worth approximately US$770 billion a year. With a conservative growth rate of between 4.5-5.5%, this forecast value can easily exceed US$820 billion a year, a trend which is expected to continue growing between 4-6% beginning this year through till 2013.

Malaysia currently exports its pharmaceutical products to the surrounding ASEAN countries including in Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam and Thailand, which accounts for approximately 50% of the total products’ value. According to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), total value for the overall pharmaceutical industry in Malaysia amounted to RM814.2 million in 2009, an increase of 43.6 per cent from RM567.1 million in the previous year.

Malaysia, a member of the Pharmaceutical Inspection Convention and Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (jointly referred to as PIC/S) has greater access to key export markets including Europe, Canada and Australia. Malaysia is also the only OIC country that enjoys PIC/S visibility, making the newly introduced Halal Pharmaceutical standard even more significant, and in line with Malaysia’s Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) for Healthcare.

Other potential export destinations that have yet to be fully explored and penetrated include the US, Germany, Hong Kong SAR and Chinese Taipei.

Adapted from Press Release.

Towards a Halal Economy – the power of values in global marketsTowards a Halal Economy – the power of values in global markets

In the past five years, Halal has become a global issue. Halal now plays a role in government policies, multinational corporate strategies, SME development, R&D and marketing. And more. Halal has a major impact in the food sector and beyond affecting manufacturing, retail, restaurant, travel and hospitality sectors. Halal is increasingly an factor in health, safety, labelling and quality control issues all over the world.

The Halal markets are here to stay, and they are expanding faster than their mainstream counterparts.

The World Halal Forum, through its affiliate, the International Halal Integrity Alliance, continues to make significant progress in the ongoing task of developing standards and best practices to promote integrity throughout the Halal supply chain.

For 2011, the WHF is going back to its roots to bring a renewed spirit of creative vision and inspiration to the wider Halal market. As we enter a new decade, we recognise the formulation of a new chapter of development for the Halal sector.

In the words of the Malaysian Prime Minister, YAB Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak, “We need to think beyond industries and move into the larger realm of a Halal Economy…a value-based economy rooted in trust, integrity and fairness”

The twin pillars of this Halal Economy are the Halal products sector and the Islamic Financial services sector. The convergence of these two Shariah-based industries forms a strong economic platform that is built on shared set values –values that will play an increasingly strategic role in shaping global markets in the coming decade.

Under the theme “Towards a Halal Economy – The Power of Values in Global Markets” the WHF 2011 will be highlighting thought-leaders from around the world in various sectors of the broader Halal market arena. Sessions for WHF 2011 will focus on:

• The inevitable convergence of the Halal and Islamic Finance sectors, and the impact this will have on both sides over the coming decade.
• Case studies examining how to position products that reflect Halal values in the mainstream marketplace.
• Dealing with diversity: regional Halal-related trends and issues in a global marketplace.
• Halal values in print, on TV and online. The role of conventional, digital and social media in shaping consumer perceptions as well as providing access to 1.7billion potential customers.
• How the rise of Halal-friendly travel is revolutionising the hospitality, tourism and MICE industries.
• Progress reports and new directions for the World Halal Forum’s global network, including updates on WHF London and IHI Alliance projects.
• Leaders Panel discussion on the steps needed to move towards a Halal economy

The WHF network has been shaping the global Halal-related markets since 2006. For anyone interested in how the Halal markets and industries around the world are likely to develop over the coming decade, the World Halal Forum 2011 will bring that vision within reach.

Come and share the vision.

Click the following link to download the latest World Halal Forum 2011 programmehttp://www.worldhalalforum.org/download.htmlClick the following link to download the latest World Halal Forum 2011 programmehttp://www.worldhalalforum.org/download.html