Page 65 - CMA Journal (Mar-Apr 2025)

Focus Section

The dialogue emphasized the importance of safe, facilitating industry onboarding, providing advisory
hygienic, and nutritious halal products, catering to the services, promoting the Halal Malaysia brand globally,
global Muslim population and beyond. Key challenges and developing a fully halal and shariah-compliant value
discussed included establishing a governance framework chain. Through strategic initiatives and performance
for harmonizing standards and logos to prevent forgery monitoring, HDC aims to bolster Malaysia's
and expiration issues. socio-economic development and position the country
as a leader in the global halal market.
I had the opportunity to participate in the dialogues
representing the Pakistan delegation. During the event, I Strategic Initiatives Driving Halal Industry
met delegates from chambers and business councils Growth
from all ASEAN countries, as well as Turkey, China,
Mongolia, and Bangladesh, to exchange ideas for HDC has launched several key initiatives to advance
initiatives. On behalf of the Pakistani delegates, I Malaysia's halal ecosystem. These include the
presented the following points: development of Halal Industrial Parks to attract
investments and boost exports, offering halal training
a) Halal Services Economy, particularly Halal
and consultancy services, and engaging in halal
Tourism: Emphasizing the potential of halal tourism
diplomacy to connect Malaysia's halal ecosystem with
to attract Muslim travelers and boost local
others worldwide. Additionally, the Halal Industry Master
economies.
Plan 2030 outlines the development of the domestic
b) Leveraging Islamic Financing Products to halal industry, aiming to create local champions capable
Accelerate Business Growth: Highlighting the role of capturing the global market. Programs like Pocket Talk
of Islamic financing in supporting halal businesses at the World Expo Osaka 2025 further promote focused
and fostering economic development. discussions on the halal industry.
c) Integrating AI-Related Startups within the Halal Pakistan can learn from Malaysia’s approach
Economy: Exploring the integration of AI to developing its Halal Industry
technologies to enhance the efficiency and
innovation within the halal industry. Pakistan can draw valuable lessons from Malaysia's
approach to developing its halal industry. Establishing a
Future Prospects and Strategic Initiatives central coordinating body similar to HDC, creating
dedicated halal industrial parks, and engaging in halal
Malaysia, under its ASEAN Chairmanship, announced the
diplomacy are crucial steps. Providing halal training and
establishment of a Halal Secretariat dedicated to driving
consultancy services and formulating a comprehensive
the growth of the halal industry in the region. This initiative
master plan to outline industry development can
aims to coordinate regional efforts and ensure the
strengthen Pakistan's position in the global halal market.
industry's long-term development and success. Deputy
By exploring non-food sectors such as pharmaceuticals,
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious
cosmetics, and hospitality services, Pakistan can meet the
Affairs) Zulkifli Hasan described the establishment of the
demands of the new economy and take leadership in
Halal Secretariat as a highly forward-thinking and
halal industry development in South Asia.
voluntary initiative by the industry itself. He emphasized
that halal is a primary agenda for the country, and the Conclusion
government plans to further enhance the halal industry’s
contribution to Malaysia’s economy, thereby boosting the The halal industry in ASEAN is poised for significant
country’s gross domestic product. growth, driven by strategic initiatives and government
support. By learning from the experiences of ASEAN
Malaysia's Halal Development Corporation: countries, Pakistan can strengthen its halal industry and
A Blueprint for Success position itself as a key player in the global halal market.
The establishment of a central coordinating body,
Malaysia's Halal Development Corporation (HDC) serves
dedicated halal industrial parks, and comprehensive
as a blueprint for success, with strategic initiatives such as
industry development plans are crucial steps towards
Halal Industrial Parks, halal training and consultancy
achieving this goal.
services, and halal diplomacy.
About the Author: Humayun Habib, based in Kuala Lumpur,
The Halal Development Corporation (HDC) in Malaysia, Malaysia, serves as the Director Finance at Cargill Food APAC - SEA.
established in 2006, serves as the world's first He is a prominent leader in the Pakistani professional community in
government-backed entity dedicated to the halal ASEAN and co-founder of the ASEAN Chapter of ICAP Members.
industry. Operating under the Ministry of Investment, Humayun leads various initiatives through the ASEAN Chapter and
the Malaysia Pakistan Business Council, bridging the startup
Trade, and Industry (MITI), HDC's mandate includes
ecosystems in ASEAN and Pakistan.
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