The global halal market, currently estimated at US$2 trillion (RM16.5 trillion), is projected to surge to US$5 trillion (RM23.6 trillion) by 2030, driven by the growing global Muslim population, estimated at between 1.8 billion and 2.18 billion.
Malaysia, one of the leading players in the global halal market, has also recorded robust growth, with halal exports rising 10.9 per cent to RM68.52 billion in 2025 from RM61.79 billion in the previous year, with China emerging as the main export destination.
To capitalise on the rapidly expanding global halal market, Malaysia launched the Halal Industry Master Plan 2030 (HIMP 2030) in March 2023. Under the plan, the domestic halal market is projected to grow to RM231.1 billion and contribute up to 11 per cent to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), compared with the current 7.94 per cent.
Seizing the opportunities offered by HIMP 2030, Perak is developing the Perak Halal Industrial Park (Perak HIP) in Lekir, Manjung, with the aim of helping Malaysia strengthen its position as a leading player in the regional halal industry.
SADC PLAYS KEY ROLE IN STRENGTHENING HALAL ECOSYSTEM
Launched in August 2023, the high-impact project is spearheaded by the Perak State Agricultural Development Corporation (Perak SADC) and is being developed in phases across 133.96 acres (54.211 hectares).
As of early October 2026, physical development of Phase One, covering 87.37 acres (35.357 hectares), had reached 62 per cent completion and remained on track for full completion by July 2027.
Perak SADC chief executive officer Mohd Azhar Mohd Yusof said Perak HIP was not merely intended to provide conventional industrial land lots, but to establish a comprehensive and integrated halal industrial ecosystem.
“In simple terms, Perak HIP is one of the five strategic economic growth nodes identified under the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan.
“The ultimate goal is to attract quality investments, strengthen the capacity of the halal industry and support the state’s food security agenda, in line with the aspirations of Perak Sejahtera 2030,” he told Bernama in a recent interview at his office here.
CONTRIBUTING TO FOOD SECURITY
Commenting on the industrial park’s role in food security, Mohd Azhar said Perak HIP would play a critical role in adding value to the state's agriculture and livestock sectors, reducing their reliance on the sale of raw commodities.
“From a food security perspective, Perak HIP will help extend the value chain of the state’s agriculture and livestock sectors.
“We want more produce from farmers and livestock breeders to be processed into products with higher commercial value in the market,” he said.
To achieve this, Perak HIP has been structured around three main clusters: gelatin and related industries; food processing; and warehousing, logistics and cold storage.
On progress at the site, he said physical infrastructure development had reached approximately 60 per cent as of Sept 23, enabling the management to intensify promotional efforts to attract more industrial investors.
According to the Halal Development Corporation (HDC), Perak approved 12 halal industry-related projects worth RM275.25 million between 2024 and mid-2026, with Perak HIP helping to drive the momentum.
STRATEGIC LOCATION AND POTENTIAL HALMAS RECOGNITION
Mohd Azhar said Perak HIP's appeal was further enhanced by its competitive geographical location in Lekir, Manjung, supported by comprehensive land and maritime logistics connectivity.
“One of Perak HIP’s main advantages is its strategic location in Lekir, Manjung, with direct access to the West Coast Expressway (WCE), proximity to Lumut Port, and connectivity to Port Klang and Penang Port.
“This gives investors a clear advantage in terms of logistics and market access,” he said.
He said the integrated halal ecosystem being developed would bring together processing facilities, cold storage, logistics services and support for halal certification compliance under one roof.
To this end, Perak HIP is in the process of obtaining Halal Malaysia (HALMAS) status recognition under HDC's supervision.
“With this recognition, Perak HIP has the potential to become the first industrial park in Perak to receive HALMAS status.
“Our hope is that Perak HIP will serve as a platform to help companies develop halal products, expand their operations and reach wider markets, both domestically and internationally,” he said, adding that 14 industrial parks nationwide currently hold HALMAS status.
LEINER GELATIN'S RM100 MILLION INVESTMENT AS A CATALYST
Mohd Azhar said the industrial park's ability to attract quality investments was reflected in the participation of its anchor tenant, Leiner Gelatin Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between Ladang Lekir Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Perak SADC, and the founder of a reputable halal gelatin manufacturing company.
He said the company had committed RM100 million towards developing a halal gelatin ecosystem based on cattle bones sourced from halal-assured supplies.
The investment also attracted the attention of the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, during his visit to the Perak Pavilion at the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agro-tourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2026 recently.
“Leiner's presence is significant because one of Perak HIP’s main areas of focus is the development of a halal gelatin ecosystem based on cattle bones from sources that are assured to be halal.
“We are not simply looking to bring in a gelatin factory. We see this investment as a catalyst for a much broader value chain, including downstream industries that use gelatin in food, pharmaceuticals and related sectors.
“For us, this investment is an important component in building a more comprehensive halal gelatin ecosystem at Perak HIP, setting it apart from other HALMAS-certified industrial parks,” he said.
He added that halal traceability would be established throughout the entire chain, from the supply of raw cattle bones and processing to distribution.
TURNING GLOBAL INTEREST INTO REAL INVESTMENTS
Mohd Azhar said Perak HIP's competitiveness had also attracted interest from several international investors, including those from China, with Perak SADC initiating formal discussions to explore halal industry investment opportunities in 2024.
“However, interest alone is not enough. What matters more is how we translate that interest into actual investments at Perak HIP.
“That is why, while continuing to promote Perak HIP and engage with prospective investors, we are also focusing on site readiness, infrastructure facilities and the overall ecosystem within the industrial park.
“In simple terms, when investors are ready to come in, we want to ensure that Perak HIP is equally ready to accommodate them and support the development of their factories and operations,” he said.
At the same time, he expressed confidence that the combination of Malaysia's internationally recognised halal ecosystem, supported by halal certification from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), clearly defined industrial clusters, available infrastructure and strong state government support would further enhance Perak HIP's standing as a preferred investment destination.
“When we bring together the advantages of location, infrastructure, the halal ecosystem and government support, we create a strong foundation for attracting quality investments to Perak HIP in particular and Perak in general.
“This will not only create employment and business opportunities but also stimulate the state's economy, contributing to Perak's prosperity and the well-being of its people,” he said.
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