HALAL WEEK

The events kicked off with a two day World Halal Forum followed by a three day Halal Research Summit in Kuala Lumpur. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that four modules of the Global Halal Standard had been published to standardise the certification process and Malaysia is helping to set a global standard for halal certification for the multi-trillion dollar industry.

He said it was time to come up with such a standardised format as Jakim (Malaysia Islamic Development Department) only recognised 15% of the halal certificates issued by 300 bodies across the globe. “The Malaysian Government is offering its expertise and years of experience in halal certification and standards development.

“Malaysia seeks to amplify its role by working towards the development of global standards,’’ he said in his keynote address at the 5th World Halal Forum at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre monday.

The International Halal Integrity Alliance (IHI), an initiative of the World Halal Forum, had published the modules in accordance with international benchmarking and best practices. Jakim, Standards Malaysia, and various international stakeholders had helped formulate the modules.

The IHI was poised to be the global halal authority, with the mandate given by the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC).

The global halal products market was estimated at US$2.3 trillion (RM7.59 trillion), excluding the Islamic banking sector. The food and beverage industry from the bulk of the halal market is at 67% followed by pharmaceutical (22%), and the cosmetic and personal care sectors (10%). No figures for the tourism industry yet.

Halal Week Malaysia had attracted deals and transactions worth RM2.2bil in 2008 and RM3.23bil last year. This year the figure is expected to exceed RM3.8bil.