Paulus (second left) being briefed about the halal products produced by local entrepreneurs during his tour around an exhibition, held in conjunction with SEDC’s ‘Bess Mesti Halal Course’.
LIMBANG: Entrepreneurs must take full advantage of the vast, expanding global halal market that not only serves Muslim consumers, but also the non-Muslims.
In stating this, Batu Danau assemblyman Paulus Palu Gumbang suggested that for a start, local entrepreneurs should strive to obtain halal certification for their products and services.
“The world now recognises the halal industry and its potential in the economic development of a country.
“There is vast opportunity of the halal industry, both for Muslim and non-Muslim consumers worldwide,” he said in officiating at the opening of ‘Bess Mesti Halal Course’ here yesterday.
Sarawak Economic Development (SEDC) Miri head Nordin Mus, as well as Elizabeth Bujang and Md Sobri Damit who represented Limbang Resident and Limbang District Officer, respectively, were also present.
According to Paulus, many halal products and services are well accepted in countries such as Brazil, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Australia and China.
“The member countries in Asean Economic Council (AEC) are in discussions towards standardising the existing halal certification.
“This standardisation can put this industry to a premier level; thus putting Asean on par with countries that are leading in certain halal industries such as Australia with its halal beef, and New Zealand with halal mutton,” he added.
Additionally, Paulus also called upon agencies involved in halal recognition such as the Islamic Affairs Department of Sarawak (Jais) and the Ministry of Health to work closely with entrepreneurship-oriented agencies such as SEDC, in developing the halal industry in Sarawak.
Meanwhile, the ‘Bess Mesti Halal Course’ was intended to raise local entrepreneurs’ awareness of the importance of halal certification, apart from preparing them to undergo various evaluation processes before and after obtaining the halal accreditation for their products and services.
The session yesterday involved 80 entrepreneurs.