News From : DagangHalal.com (21 May 2009)
THE 16,000ha Tanjung Manis Halal Park in Sarawak, launched two months ago, has attracted RM9 billion worth of investments from 11 companies.
Halal Industry Development Corp Sdn Bhd (HDC) chief executive officer Datuk Jamil Bidin said the investors comprise of six Taiwan companies (RM6 billion) and the others are local firms (RM3 billion). They plan to invest in, among others, aquaculture, biotechnology and modern farming.
“The Taiwanase investors will occupy 2,000ha in the halal park. They will also set up a university campus dedicated to marine and herbal products,” he told reporters at the launch of World Halal Forum 2009 in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Jamil said there is still substantial amount of land available in Tanjung Manis Halal Park for larger projects for more investors later.
Jamil said the halal park will take time to commence operations because infrastructure is not fully ready. A road will be built linking Tanjung Manis to Kuching and Sibu, while the airport has to be expanded to accommodate bigger planes.
Tanjung Manis is one of several designated halal parks in the country that offer incentives including tax exemptions for investors. The other parks includes Port Klang Free Zone in Selangor, Gambang in Pahang and Padang Besar in Perlis.
Earlier in his speech, Jamil said HDC’s latest initiative is the Halal Champions programme, where HDC provides support to selected small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in halal-related sectors that are ready to export their products.
“The Halal Champions will function as anchor companies and the target for them is to nurture their Malaysian business partners, including suppliers and contract manufacturers, within their network. This will create multiplier effects in the growth of the halal industry,” he said.
HDC has also launched the Global Halal Support Centre, which aims to position Malaysia as a global reference centre in halal knowledge and halal-related services for investors and consumers.
“The centre provides a one-stop support service for companies and service providers including fatwa know-how, information on halal certification, capacity building, investment opportunities in Malaysia, access to halal-safe ingredients and halal certified companies, as well as information on incentives,” he said.
HDC was established in 2006 as a private company, fully owned by the Ministry of Finance.
Besides taking over the role of halal certification authority from Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) 12 months ago, HDC has also been tasked by the government to develop the halal sector and coordinate the overall growth of the halal economy.