News From : DagangHalal.com (18 May 2009)
Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, who noted that non-Bumiputera companies were now dominating the industry, said this should not be the case as Muslims understood the importance of the halal requirement.
“The reason why there are more non-Muslim and non-Bumiputera companies in this industry is that traditionally, they have always owned most of the food manufacturing companies.
“Modifying the existing work process to obtain halal certification is less of a problem for them compared with Bumiputera businessmen who are setting up halal food companies from scratch,” Mukhriz said on Thursday.
He said Bumiputera companies should take advantage of the increasing acceptance of the halal standard even among non-Muslims.
Mukhriz said the annual trade value of the global halal industry was RM7.4 trillion.
“There were 1.6 billion Muslims last year and this number is expected to grow.”
Up to April 30, the Halal Industry Development Corporation had received 1,686 applications for halal certification this year.
“Only 25 per cent, or 423 applicants were Bumiputera-owned companies.
With the various grants and business opportunities available, there should be no excuse for Bumiputeras not to take part in this profitable industry.”
—New Straits Times