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HDC To Take Lead Role

KUALA LUMPUR, April 4 (Bernama) — Halal Industry Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (HDC) will take over the International Trade & Industry Ministry’s (MITI) role in terms of promotion, marketing and exhibition of halal products and services, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Friday.

HDC was incorporated on Sept 18, 2006 as a private company and is wholly-owned by the government through the Finance Ministry.

“The Cabinet has decided that MITI’s role in the promotion, marketing and exhibition of halal products will be taken over by HDC.

“This is to avoid any confusion. So the Cabinet has decided that only one body will (oversee) the development of the halal industry,” he told reporters after visiting the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM) here.

Ahmad Zahid was responding to a question on MITI’s offer to take the lead in promoting the country as a halal hub.

On Wednesday, HDC was given the mandate by the Cabinet to take over the role of the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) in issuing halal certificates in the country.

HDC will also be responsible for issuing international halal certification.

To provide for the smooth transition and assistance, Ahmad Zahid said, Jakim will transfer some of its officers to HDC to help out in the halal certification process.

The transition will also see the halal certification system, which includes e-halal, documentation and management, as well as the rights of the Malaysian halal logo being handed over to HDC.

The move is also expected to expedite the issuance of halal certification.

At the moment, Jakim takes about two months to issue the certification.

HDC chief executive officer Datuk Jamil Bidin said that for the issuance of international halal certification, HDC is ready to issue this, especially with the installation of an effective information technology system.

“We have many companies from several countries which have already registered with us to have the international halal certification. At the moment, they number about 40 companies, from among others Thailand, Indonesia and Turkey,” he added.

On the halal industry masterplan, Jamil said it is expected to be submitted to the Cabinet in the near future.

– BERNAMA
source : http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_business.php?id=324771