Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC) successfully organised the Halal Sector Forum 2023, an event aimed at supporting Malaysia’s Halal industry’s development. The event, held in conjunction with the Global Halal Summit 2023 (GHaS 2023), drew over 500 attendees who took part in a variety of activities that included thought-provoking keynotes, informative panel discussions, and interactive networking.
Under the theme “Resiliency of Halal Sectors Towards National Socio-Economy,” the two-day forum attracted representatives from various ministries, agencies, embassies, industry leaders, academia, research institutes, Halal industry practitioners, and Islamic financial institutions.
The forum kicked off with a welcome speech by HDC Chairman, Mr. Khairul Azwan Harun, and a keynote speech by YAB Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development. Mr. Zainoirwan Zainuddin of Novugen Malaysia, Mr. Azli Munkiar of Hershey Malaysia, Mr. Simone Meregaglia of Euromonitor International, Mr. Abdul Razak Isa of Medika Natura, Mr. Mohd Safuan Mohd Zairi of MRANTI, and Madam Rashidah Ibrahim of Malaysian Vaccines and Pharmaceuticals (MVP) were among the prominent speakers. Mr. Khairul Azwan Harun, Chairman of HDC, will also deliver the special remarks on September 14, 2023. His speech will focus on HDC’s goal of implementing advanced technologies by establishing integrated domestic halal management systems. Furthermore, it seeks to promote innovative problem-solving strategies and to take a comprehensive, cross-national approach to policymaking. This approach prioritizes policy advocacy for halal compliance, as well as trade, investment, employment, and innovations that improve capabilities across various sectors
The forum’s discussions covered crucial issues such as upholding global Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles for business opportunities and investments, the interplay between innovation and commercialization, the development of raw materials for pharmaceuticals, the importance of co-branding, and fostering a positive and inclusive culture within organizations.
The focus of this forum is aligned with Malaysia’s Halal Industry Master Plan 2030 (HIMP 2030), which was recently launched by the Malaysia’s YAB Deputy Prime Minister on 23rd March 2023. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI) and HDC, HIMP 2030 catalyzes Halal industry’s growth by leveraging on Malaysia’s unique Halal ecosystem, with the theme “Prominent, Visible, and Globalized Halal Malaysia,” HIMP 2030 strengthens Malaysia’s leadership in the global Halal industry by achieving greater positioning, strategic standpoint, and comprehensive national development. Malaysia’s Halal industry is projected to reach approximately RM231.1 billion by 2030 which is 10.8 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as targeted in the 12th Malaysia Plan.