Kuala Lumpur, Feb 28 – Malaysia’s leadership role in developing the Halal industry marked a major milestone today with the signing of a strategic collaboration agreement between the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) and AJ Pharma Holdings to promote cooperation in Halal healthcare initiatives.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) represented by Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin, Chief Executive Officer and AJ Pharma Holdings represented by Dr. Tabassum Khan, Managing Director. The MoU exchange was witnessed by Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, the Minister of International Trade and Industry and Dr. Ghassan Ahmed Al-Sulaiman, Governor of Small and Medium Enterprise Authority of Saudi Arabia.
The MoU aims to promote cooperation in Halal healthcare initiatives, especially in accelerating technology transfer as well as knowledge and expertise in vaccine that are potentially halal compliant. The joint effort is expected to address the healthcare needs of Muslim Ummah globally significantly for future development of Halal vaccines.
“The cooperation will cover exchange of expertise, research and development in the effort to spur developments of Halal promoted areas within the global healthcare market,” said YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa. Malaysia via AJ Pharma Holdings is able to establish presence as a global player in the halal healthcare initiatives.
In terms of economic development, Malaysia registered RM 529.89 Million in Halal export to Saudi Arabia in 2015. This is an increase of 9.6% from the year before. Malaysia Halal export includes food and beverage (RM 364.39 Million); ingredients (RM 64.42 Million); industrial chemical (RM 39.76 Million) and others (RM 61.31 Million).