26 countries are now using the Halal Malaysia trademark for certification, reflecting the increasing popularity of halal products among both Muslim and non-Muslim consumers. The concept of halal, which refers to what is permissible in Islamic law, is not limited to religious adherents but is relevant to all aspects of life. Malaysia has emerged as a leader in the global halal economy, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim highlighting the country’s reputation as a halal certification hub during the Global Halal Summit (GHaS) 2023 in Kuala Lumpur. Anwar noted that world leaders, including those from Japan, China, and South Korea, frequently raise the topic of Malaysia’s halal industry and its precision and ecosystem. During his recent visits to Vietnam and Laos, Anwar was asked for assistance in training and establishing halal product networks, further demonstrating Malaysia’s recognition in the halal industry.
Malaysia’s focus on inclusive, high-impact halal industries aligns with the concept of Ekonomi Madani, which aims to strengthen trade and promote competitive halal sectors. The country has actively developed its halal ecosystem, including the establishment of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) for halal certification and the Halal Development Corporation Berhad to support halal industry growth. Malaysia’s halal industry extends beyond food and beverages to include cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and services like banking. The Department of Standards Malaysia also plays a role in elevating Malaysia’s halal industry by setting quality and safety benchmarks. The government’s promotion of the halal industry includes the Global Halal Summit (GHaS) and the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas) as platforms for industry players to connect with global partners.
To protect the Halal Malaysia brand as intellectual property, Jakim has registered the Halal Malaysia trademark in 26 countries, including the United States, Brazil, Australia, and Japan. Jakim also offers international halal certification for various sectors such as food and beverage, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, logistics services, and medical devices. This certification initiative opens up opportunities for international industry players to directly apply for Malaysian halal certification. The implementation of the Manual Procedure for Malaysia Halal Certification (International) 2023 guidelines ensures the integrity and consumer confidence in the Halal Malaysia logo. Malaysia’s efforts in the halal industry serve as a blueprint for other countries, and collaboration between the Malaysian government, international certification bodies, and industry players can strengthen the global halal industry and overcome economic challenges.
The Prime Minister urges Malaysian halal industry players to leverage the robust Halal Malaysia ecosystem to explore and create greater opportunities in the global halal market. As a leading global halal hub, Malaysia can contribute to the projected growth of the global halal market, which is expected to reach US$2.4 trillion by 2024. GHaS continues to serve as a platform for global halal certification bodies to exchange views, share best practices, and enhance global halal certification.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
