Despite the lacklustre prediction of the global economic sphere, the demand for Halal products remain positive. Malaysia stands as the biggest Halal exporter next to China with an increase of 4% in its export value in 2015.
Leading the country’s march into the global Halal initiative Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC). An agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), HDC was established on 18 September 2006 with the express objective of coordinating the overall development of the Halal industry in Malaysia for both the domestic and international markets.
“Indeed the HDC has grown by leaps and bounds since its foundation 10 years ago; it is of utmost importance that we sustain the Halal momentum and drive its growth even further,” said Tan Sri Dr Syed Jalaludin Bin Syed Salim, Chairman of the HDC (pix).
Syed Jalaludin was speaking after the 9th annual World Halal Conference held in Kuala Lumpur recently.
More than 1000 delegates converged at this year’s conference. Centred on the theme, ‘Halal at the Forefront of Social and Economic Change’ the conference gave way to empowering insights and sound knowledge of the Halal industry.
The event was officiated Tun Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi, the patron of World Halal Conference. A main conference was also hosted with a Ministerial Panel chaired by Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, the Minister of International Trade & Industry Malaysia, a Global Leaders Panel Session, several concurrent plenary sessions on specific components within the halal eco-system, e-commerce, youth and women’s empowerment and a Business Networking Galleria by collaborating partners of WHC.
This year’s conference saw the collaboration of several partners including, Islamic Development Bank, Nestle Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Agro Bank, Ramly, Chemical Company of Malaysia Bhd (CCM), East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC), Kuala Lumpur Malay Chamber of Commerce, Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA), and Sugarscarf.
“We are honoured to see such strong commitment from our industry partners, together with the participation of foreign delegates and renowned speakers who have made this year’s conference a success. We urge for their continuous support; together we can take the Halal Industry to new heights, both internationally and locally,” said Syed Jalaludin.
The conference also saw the strategic alliance of HDC and various SME’s in an effort to uplift the local Halal economy. One of which, was a Memorandum of Understanding between HDC and Nestle Malaysia Sdn Bhd that focused on building local productive capacity, enhance social inclusion, and promote environmental sustainability.
