Malaysia to become a Global Halal Economy Enabler for Tokyo Olympics 2020

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia aims become a Global Halal Economy Enabler for Tokyo Olympics 2020 which will be held from 25 August – 6 September 2020. The ‘Digital Trade Halal Value Chain for Tokyo Olympics 2020’ is one of the public-private initiatives by the Malaysian Government and the private sector in delivering a comprehensive and total solution on Halal value chain. The Tokyo Olympics 2020 is a stepping stone to showcase Malaysia’s capability to bring Halal to the world. This initiative covers various angles including exports, logistics, data analytics, retail, certification, food distribution and tourism.

Halal development is one of the key areas highlighted in the Look East Policy 2.0 in promoting Halal products and services to Japan and Republic of Korea. In order to improve and further expedite the market access of halal products and services to Japan prior to the Tokyo Olympics 2020 event, the initiative is timely leverage on Malaysia’s strong international Halal branding and standard.

The Ministry of International Trade & Industry (MITI) has set up two sub-committees i.e. on Halal Marketing and Promotion led by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) while the other is on Digital Halal Chain Standard led by Standards Malaysia. Both MATRADE and Standards Malaysia are agencies under MITI. The sub-committees comprise various ministries and agencies such as Ministry of Economic Affairs (MEA), Ministry of Entrepreneur Development (MED), Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries (MOA), Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC), Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), National Sport Council Malaysia (MSN) and EXIM Bank. To achieve the objectives, this initiative will be undertaken with the collaboration of Mr. Keith Wong, the Chief Executive Officer of Acrosx Japan Inc., who is a Malaysian appointed as a committee member in the Halal Training Expert Committee under Ministry of Health, Japan and Mr. Philip Chu Hiu Fung, Chief Executive Officer of HAFA Plus Sdn. Bhd. is lending his expertise in logistic matters.

In 2018, Malaysia’s Halal export was valued at RM40.0 billion and Japan was Malaysia’s 3rd largest export destination, with exports valued at RM2.5 billion. The global Halal market is estimated to be worth more than USD2.3 trillion with Halal food sector worth nearly USD700 billion. There is a huge potential in the halal sector as the global Halal market, which covers food and non-food products, is largely an untapped market.

Japan will be hosting three mega events such as the Osaka Rugby World Tokyo Olympics in 2020 and Osaka World Expo 2025 this year. This is an important and exciting opportunity for Malaysian Halal exporters to promote its halal products and services to Japan.

About MITI:
MITI is the key driver in making Malaysia the preferred destination for quality investments and enhancing the nation's rising status as a globally competitive trading nation. Its objectives and roles are oriented towards ensuring Malaysia’s rapid economic development and help achieve the country's stated goal of becoming a developed nation.

About MATRADE:
The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) was established on March 1, 1993 as the external trade promotion arm of Malaysia's Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). Its functions are:

- To promote, assist and develop Malaysia's external trade with particular emphasis on the export of manufactured and semi-manufactured products and services;

- To formulate and implement export marketing strategies and trade promotion activities to promote Malaysia's export;

- To undertake commercial intelligence and market research and create a comprehensive database of information for the improvement and development of Malaysia's trade;

- To organise training programmes to improve the international marketing skills of Malaysian exporters;

- To enhance and protect Malaysia's international trade investment abroad; and

- To promote, facilitate and assist in the services areas related to trade.

Ministry of International Trade & Industry and MATRADE
15 August 2019

Source: Ministry of International Trade & Industry

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Ministry of International Trade & Industry
Strategic Communications Unit
Tel: +603 6200 0083
Fax: +603 6206 4293
E-mail: allpegkomunikasikorporat@miti.gov.my

MATRADE
Corporate Communications Unit
Tel: +603 6207 7233
Fax: +603 6203 7187
E-mail: zuhaila@matrade.gov.my

--BERNAMA