Malaysian deputy International Trade and Industry Minister, Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, said on Friday that Malaysian “halal” products are not only successful in Muslim countries but also in non-Muslim countries.
He added that there was a positive response to Malaysian “halal” products from non-Muslim countries such as Europe, China, Australia, Thailand and Brazil.
Malaysia is now exporting AS$1.5 billion worth of “halal” products annually to Muslim countries alone.
Ahmad Husni indicated that Malaysia has the potential to be the world's biggest producer and exporter of “halal” products after the recognition given by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) countries on Malaysia's “halal” certification.
He also said that the huge global demand for “halal” products involved billions of dollars annually with demand coming not only from Muslim countries but also from non-Muslim countries.
He noted that the demand was growing from one year to another and that Malaysia needs between three and five years to meet the increasing demand.
Ahmad Husni also said that about 8,000 companies under the local Small and Medium Industry (SMI) segment should try to meet the demand by seizing the opportunities available in the cosmetics, food and medical sectors.
He said that the recognition given by the two world bodies -- OIC and NAM – granted an advantage to the SMIs to penetrate and dominate the Islamic markets, particularly among West Asian countries.
Ahmad Husni said that his ministry is offering a lot of fiscal incentives, besides investment and soft loans, to help small and medium entrepreneurs in expanding their operations and improving their products.