Kuala lumpur: Global retail chain Lulu Hypermarket has pledged to purchase and market halal products from Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) entrepreneurs, with a commitment of USD100 million (approximately RM470 million) for the international market starting July 1. This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who noted that the commitment was personally conveyed by the owner of the retail chain, Yusuff Ali, during a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last week.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid has directed MARA's top management to swiftly coordinate products from its guided entrepreneurs to meet the demands of the global market, especially in the Middle East through Lulu Hypermarket's extensive network. During the launch of the MARA Halal Ecosystem, Ahmad Zahid emphasized the importance of collaboration between MARA and Lulu Hypermarket to promote these halal products globally, starting July 1.
Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the Rural and Regional Development Minister, highlighted the vast market opportunities available and set a higher target for MARA's international halal sales. He aims for the sales potential to exceed RM1 billion by next year, building on the RM819 million in potential sales transactions recorded by MARA entrepreneurs on international platforms this year.
The MARA Halal Ecosystem launch aims to establish a comprehensive value chain that includes training, certification, financing, and infrastructure to ensure Bumiputera entrepreneurs not only participate but also lead the global halal market. Ahmad Zahid also announced plans to produce 30 additional Halal Executives and 30 Internal Halal Auditors among MARA officers to provide more efficient technical guidance to entrepreneurs.
At the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchange occurred between MARA and Maybank Islamic Berhad to enhance cooperation in capacity building, halal industry development, access to financing, and market expansion. A Letter of Intent (LOI) was also presented to the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) to fortify training, certification, and halal competency development among entrepreneurs and MARA training institutions.