Datuk Ahmad Maslan

Kuala Lumpur, (IINA) : The government of Malaysia called on local companies to venture into the halal industry and increase their involvement at national and international levels, Halal Focus reported Tuesday.

Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan said that as of last year, Malaysian companies in the country made up only 30% of 6,458 companies involved in the halal industry.

“As this figure is inadequate, I hope more efforts can be made in the halal industrial parks to attract more companies to participate”, he told reporters after visiting the Pedas Entrepreneurial Halal Production Park. Maslan said that of 22 halal industrial parks nationwide, 14 had been accorded the ‘Halmas’ certification by the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC).

“A company operating in the Halmas-status halal industrial park can enjoy a 100% tax exemption for up to 10 years, depending on the capital outlay for its factory. “Hence, I urge Malaysian companies to take advantage of the 14 Halmas-status halal industrial parks”, he said.

Halmas is an accreditation given to Halal park operators who have successfully complied with the requirements and guidelines stipulated under the HDC-designated Halal Park Development.

It is considered a mark of excellence for parks that have noteworthy qualities; namely production of halal products with the highest quality, integrity, and safety.