Penang on right track to become northern region’s centre for halal industry
31 Jul 2023
Penang is on the right track to becoming the centre of the halal industry in the northern region, according to Halal Development Corporation Bhd (HDC).
Its chief executive officer Hairol Ariffien Sahari said there is a huge opportunity for the industry for Penang to increase its economic growth by encouraging halal-related businesses to obtain halal certification.
“Halal certifications should not be seen as a religious requirement. It is a serious business and a market force for economic growth due to the change in consumer demands,” he said in a statement today.
He said it has also become a mark of trust and credibility among the consumers which greatly affects the growth of a business.
Therefore, he said, it makes sense to support Malaysia’s vision to be a halal hub globally through a collective effort between Federal Government agencies and the state.
Hairol Ariffien said as of February 2023, more than 900 food products, beverages and food premises had been certified halal in Penang and HDC is committed to working closely with the relevant agencies to increase this number.
HDC is one of the agencies under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) which co-hosted the one-day MITI Day 2023 yesterday in Kubang Menerong, Penang.
MITI Day 2023, themed “Perkasa Industri, Maju Ekonomi”, was organised with the main objectives of bringing the ministry closer to the public as well as increasing the awareness of local small and medium-sized enterprises on business opportunities in Malaysia.
Source: Bernama