ASEAN Countries Actively Working On Promoting Collaboration In Halal Sector - MITI

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- Several efforts involving cooperation between ASEAN countries are being implemented to promote halal-related products and services, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).

These initiatives include through the ASEAN Working Group on Halal Food (AWGHF) involving all ASEAN countries; the Working Group on Halal Products and Services (WGHAPAS) under the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle Initiative; and the Informal Annual Meeting of the Ministers of Religious Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore (MABIMS).

The promotion efforts of the ASEAN halal sector are also supported by the Malaysia Technical Cooperation Programme, which is a programme aimed at sharing experiences and expertise with developing countries, said MITI in a written response published on the Parliament's website today.

The ministry was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar (PN-Kemaman) on the efforts and cooperation made by the government to expand the halal industry among ASEAN countries, considering that this industry is now estimated to be worth up to US$2 trillion (US$1=RM4.30) internationally.

At the local level, the government is striving to expedite the issuance of halal certificates and develop local industries based on halal products to make them more competitive and resilient.

"These measures are expected to enhance halal production and exports as targeted in the Halal Industry Master Plan (HIMP) 2030," it explained.

MITI also proposes that industry players optimise the various free trade agreements participated by Malaysia, which provide access to international markets with low duties, including the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

-- BERNAMA