M’sian regulators should urge players to use halal logistics

0

KUALA LUMPUR: MISC Integrated Logistics (MILS), a one-stop logistics services provider, wants Malaysian regulators to urge local companies to use halal logistics in exporting their goods.

“Some companies, especially in the food production services, are unwilling to go into halal logistics as their products have already been certified by Jakim,” managing director and chief executive officer, Abdul Aziz Miskon told Bernama on the sidelines of the recent 2nd Global Halal Trade and Logistics Summit here.

He said as an Islamic country that aims to become the global halal hub, ensuring that products reach their destination via halal logistics is important.

“It is also an added value for the companies. We are sometimes asked by our clients, especially from the middle east, if the goods are being sent to them the halal way,” he added.

By using the halal logistics, halal products will be segregated from those that are non-halal, and be put in different storage at a certain temperature to preserve their condition.

Abdul Aziz said although the company had taken a risk in entering the halal logistics business, he believed, the venture would grow.

Being the first logistics provider in Malaysia to be certified by the Halal Industry Development Corp (HDC) in 2009, MILS has recorded a tripling in income since starting out.

Besides halal logistics, the company, a registered Petronas vendor also provides normal logistics services, catering mainly for pharmaceutical products, automotive parts and also electronics.

“We are hoping to double growth this year,” Abdul Aziz said.

He said the halal logistics business in Malaysia was still in its infancy and the challenge was to create awareness among the big companies on its benefits.

“This is where the authorities can help. While there is some extra cost in utilising halal logistics, there are long term benefits for companies,” he added.

For its logistics hub in Pulau Indah, Selangor, MILS has invested RM150 million.

The hub serves as a one-stop, duty free centre for halal logistics. The available services include, inventory management, haulage and distribution services, freight and customs management and a container yard, sterilisation services, vendor managed inventory, light assembly, and cargo consolidation. — Bernama