MELAKA: The 2025 Budget provides strong support for the Halal industry says Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
He said the support can be seen through the addition of 100 new officers as halal auditors under the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) other than various allocations dedicated to elevating the competitiveness of Malaysia's Halal products and services globally.
Zafrul also said that the budget emphasised halal sector financing for small and medium enterprises as RM1 billion was allocated to Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan Berhad (SJPP) in order to assist the SMEs involved in the halal industry.
"I am confident that all these policy measures will elevate the standards of excellence, efficiency, and productivity within the Halal industry, for them to diversify and gain a competitive
edge in the international arena.
"A stronger halal industry and export sector will also support local SMEs, creating more job opportunities for the locals," Zafrul said in his speech during the World Halal Excellence Awards 2023 here.
The event also saw the attendance of Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh as the state government is also the co-host of the event alongside Investment, Trade, and Industry Ministry as well as the Halal Development Corporation.
Zafrul also said that despite Malaysia's strong position in the Halal industry, the country cannot be complacent as the process of building a sustainable and resilient Halal industry is not easy.
He said Malaysia is well-positioned to meet the demand for Halal products and services globally, reinforcing the country's leadership in the global Halal industry.
"To build a sustainable and resilient Halal industry is not easy, which is why we are tracking closely the KPIs set out in the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP) and Halal Industry Master Plan 2030 (HIMP)," he said.