IPOH: Five foreign companies are poised to invest in the Perak Halal Industrial Park (Perak HIP), located in Lekir, Manjung district.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said it was the result of an official working visit he and the state government delegation undertook to the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) in Dubai, UAE, and Lahore, Pakistan, last week.
He said the five companies are involved in sectors such as pharmaceuticals and halal gelatin, originating from China, Pakistan, and India.
"We have promoted and offered Perak HIP to encourage them to invest.
"God willing, they will come to visit the area," he told reporters after attending the Jelajah Nyalaan Baraan Api bersama Cikgu Saarani event here today.
Saarani's working visit to the two countries from Nov 17 to 22 was aimed at strengthening international relations and attract high-quality investments for the state's economic development.
Perak HIP spans 47 hectares and is managed by the Perak State Agricultural Development Corporation (Perak SADC).
It is strategically located near the Lekir Toll Plaza on the West Coast Expressway (WCE).
Development is set to begin next year, focusing on three main segments, namely, halal gelatin industry ecosystems, logistics and cold storage, and food and meat processing.
The park will feature green technology, the Internet of Things (IoT), Halal certification, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP).
Saarani said discussions with Olam Group are ongoing regarding potential collaborations in agricultural trade, modern infrastructure development, and research and development (R&D).
"Strategic cooperation with Allana Group is also expected to position Perak as a regional distribution hub for food products," he added.