A new Halal Commission will centralise halal certification to boost MSME competitiveness, with KUSKOP focusing on product branding and packaging.
KUALA LUMPUR: Establishing a Halal Commission under the Halal Development Corporation represents a strategic step to centralise and improve halal certification.
Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Seri R Ramanan said this move will help local businesses become more competitive in domestic and international markets.
He explained that since 2017, his ministry no longer receives specific budgets for halal certification as that responsibility now falls under HDC’s purview.
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“KUSKOP is ready to cooperate with the soon-to-be-established commission to support the sector’s entrepreneurs,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
“The new Halal Commission will take over all matters and assistance related to halal certification.”
Ramanan was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa who asked whether the ministry still had a role in managing halal certification.
The ministry now focuses on improving product competitiveness for entrepreneurs through better packaging and branding.
Ramanan emphasised KUSKOP’s commitment to strengthening MSME competitiveness through programmes covering halal certification and quality standards.
He highlighted the Bumiputera Enterprise Enhancement Programme by SME Corp as a key example aiming to increase productivity and certification compliance.
One MSME in the pickle business received an RM500,000 grant for machinery and equipment through this programme.
The Halal Entrepreneur Development Programme concentrates on certification, marketing, and financial support with technical guidance.
This programme builds halal product capacity through better branding, packaging and labelling.
Meanwhile, the Halal Entrepreneur Internationalisation Programme works to expand Malaysian halal brands in international markets. – Bernama
