Halal business collaboration
MALAYSIA and Thailand have agreed to set up an association of businessmen interested specifically in the collaboration of halal products and services.
This could pave the way for both countries to be major players in the halal market, especially when the Asean Economic Community (AEC) is realised in 2015.
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom made the decision yesterday, which aims to bring together Malaysian and Thai companies on a regular basis to discuss opportunities for cross-border investment in the halal market.
Malaysia's halal sector, Mustapa said, provides a concrete platform for its businesses to engage interested Thai companies in establishing a dominance over the halal market in the region.
"The decision to set up a structured association for businessman is part of a two-track process in the ongoing engagement between the countries.
"The existing talks and collaboration between the governments and their respective bodies will continue, but in addition, the presence of the association will enable business leaders to meet frequently and fast-track progress at the level it matters most," the minister said after presenting the keynote address at the seminar on Malaysia-Thailand Bilateral Cooperation and Business Opportunities in Halal here.
Mustapa said the first step is for companies to get organised under one umbrella, and within two months, each association should have its first meeting.
The seminar, attended by 540 participants representing nearly 400 Thai and 150 Malaysian enterprises, signals the largest yet interest in halal joint ventures since talks started in 2009, Mustapa said. He added that some 260 business meetings had been arranged so far.
The focus on halal products and services follows years of trade relations, with Malaysia being Thailand's major export destination. Malaysia's exports of halal products to Thailand amounted to US$562.4 million (RM1.7 billion) in 2011, a sharp rise from US$286 million (RM872 million) in 2010.
Efforts are also under way to promote Thai investment in the Pasir Mas Halal Industry Business Park, which is in the development stage and will be an ideal site for collaboration due to its proximity to the Malaysia-Thai border.
Meanwhile, Boonsong said Malaysia and Thailand are an important gateway in the Asean community and therefore need to collaborate to become major players in the halal goods and manufacturing industry.
He added that Thailand's 40pc Muslim population is another reason for the cooperation in the sector.
Source : New Straits Times
Date : 1 November 2012
Today's Pick (02/11/12/193/888)
No comments:
Post a Comment