Wellington: Malaysia has expressed its readiness to serve as the primary distribution hub for halal products from New Zealand into ASEAN markets, as part of efforts to strengthen the regional and global halal ecosystem, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Malaysian Halal Industry Development Council chairman, mentioned that two halal certification bodies in New Zealand have already been recognised by the Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM) and can play a vital role in driving the export of halal products from that region.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid extended an invitation to New Zealand halal industry players to participate in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) in December. During the event, Malaysia plans to announce the establishment of the ASEAN Halal Council and ASEAN Plus Three (APT) to harmonise regional halal certification standards. This announcement followed a press conference after the Halal Forum and Tea Session with New Zealand’s Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety, Andrew Hoggard.

This marks the third day of Ahmad Zahid’s five-day working visit to New Zealand. He highlighted a key strategy to facilitate New Zealand’s entry into Southeast Asian markets through Malaysia by extending halal certification recognition to organisations within New Zealand. Ahmad Zahid emphasized the importance of collaboration between Malaysia and New Zealand to promote ASEAN halal products in the Asia-Pacific region.

He underscored that this collaboration is crucial for supporting growth in the global halal market, projected to reach US$5 trillion by 2050. Malaysia aims to capture at least a five per cent share of the global market. Ahmad Zahid also mentioned that the halal industry should expand beyond the food and beverage sector to include cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, Islamic banking, insurance, vaccines, and gelatin, among others.

Ahmad Zahid stated that halal is not just for Muslims but is a universal symbol of cleanliness, quality, and health. He also noted that the Halal Development Corporation (HDC) will propose the establishment of a Malaysian Halal Development Commission to complement the ASEAN Halal Council. Efforts to revive the World Halal Council are also ongoing in collaboration with GCC countries.

Asked about concerns regarding JAKIM’s stringent halal certification processes for New Zealand companies, Zahid assured that the issue no longer exists. JAKIM has delegated authority to two halal certifying bodies in New Zealand, allowing applications to be handled through them instead of directly via JAKIM. Periodic audits will continue to ensure compliance with JAKIM’s standards.

Last year, New Zealand’s halal-certified meat exports to Malaysia exceeded NZD60 million (RM151 million). During the forum, Ahmad Zahid also witnessed the exchange of a Letter of Intent (LoI) between Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and the University of Canterbury (UC), focusing on enhancing cooperation in chemical and process engineering, halal food technology, and sustainable development.