Govt to set up halal focused centre to develop and market halal products

KUALA LUMPUR: The government plans to set up halal focused centre called "Halaljaya", similar to the present information technology-focused Cyberjaya.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pix) said the Halal industrial park was needed to expand the industry in the country, as well as acting as a new, centralised service centre to develop and market halal products and services.
He said the idea would be brought up at the next Malaysia Halal Council meeting at the end of this year.
"This could be our third economic window after Putrajaya and Cyberjaya. And this is something that should be welcomed by the government.
"Yes, we already have several Halal parks when talking about the Halal industry. But they are all scattered.
"That must be maintained, but a new 'Halaljaya', or whatever name it will be called, is needed to show our seriousness in developing this industry," he told a press conference after attending a dialogue session on the Halal industry, here, today.
Also present were International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
The idea for the Halal industrial park was first mooted during the dialogue session, where one of the participants had suggested that a centralised park be established to support the current 23 parks in the country.
Ahmad Zahid, however, did not give a timeframe or the estimated budget required to set up the said Halal park, as well as the suggested location.
Earlier during the dialogue, Ahmad Zahid also urged the country's multinational companies (MNC) to collaborate with local companies to assist them in further developing and marketing their halal products.
He said he would meet with the CEOs of MNCs to ask that they "open their doors when local companies come knocking".
"I would like to suggest these local companies to knock on the doors of the MNCs, to allow for our products and services to be marketed globally.
"And if they (MNC) don't open their doors, I know what I have to do," he said.