First Rolling Plan Of 13MP Allocates RM28.8 Million To Develop Halal Industry - Mohd Shahar

KUANTAN, April 18 (Bernama) -- The First Rolling Plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) has allocated RM28.8 million for projects and programmes to develop the halal industry, Deputy Minister of Economy Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah said.

He said this year’s allocation was channelled to the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP), the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and the Halal Development Corporation (HDC).

Among the approved projects and programmes are those focusing on the development of halal innovation and technology, the facilitation of halal certification, and the strengthening of halal integrity, such as the development of JAKIM’s My e-Halal system.

“With the funding and financing support provided, halal industry players are expected to build business capacity and, in turn, contribute to the development of the nation’s halal industry,” he said.

Mohd Shahar was speaking at the Pahang International East Coast Entrepreneurial Summit (PIECES) held in conjunction with the Malaysia East Coast Trade and Entrepreneur Expo 2026 here today.

Meanwhile, when met by Bernama, the deputy economy minister said Pahang had great potential to strengthen the halal industry due to its strategic location and logistical advantages.

Therefore, he hoped industry players would be ready to make use of logistical infrastructure such as the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, which is expected to be operational next year.

“The facilities are in place, and the industry must be developed as quickly as possible. The Ministry of Economy sees that Pahang already has strengths, but we need synergy; don’t work in silos.

“Besides that, we must seize the opportunities available and, most importantly, be aggressive. Don’t let these opportunities go to waste for local youth and entrepreneurs,” he added.

-- BERNAMA