SERI KEMBANGAN: The government will introduce a halal industry strategic development programme, called 'be-Halal', under the National Halal Council Secretariat to drive the growth of the halal industry.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said she hoped the initiative would encourage industry players to compete productively as well as innovatively in facing the global challenges.
"For a start, 50 halal industry players will be selected to participate in this 'be-Halal' programme.
"These participants will be exposed to programmes to be conducted by experts from various backgrounds to enable them to contribute to the country's halal industry development.
"This will be one of my ambitions to increase the capacity and availability of the nation's halal industries internationally and towards a more competitive market," she said, at the Halal Fiesta Malaysia 2019 (HALFEST) launching ceremony at the MINES International Exhibition and Convention Centre (MIECC) here.
Also present was Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa.
Wan Azizah said asnaf (eligible recipients of tithe) were encouraged to participate in the HALFEST as entrepreneurs to promote the halal culture.
She said this would not only get them out from poverty but also encouraged them to contribute via tithe to assist others in need.
Meanwhile, Mujahid said he hoped to see more non-Muslim industry players registering for halal certification to further boost the reach of their products locally and globally.
"I also urge more bumiputera companies and business owners to register for halal certificate so that they can go beyond than where they are now," he said in his speech.
HALFEST Jakim 2019 is the biggest halal expo in the country comprising of more than 500 booths and 450 participants showcasing their halal products.
Visitors can visit the biggest Malaysian halal expo at the MIECC from Sept 4 till Sept 8 from 10am to 9pm.