Latest news with #ASEANHalalCouncil
The Sun
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
New Zealand seeks ASEAN Halal Council membership via Malaysia
WELLINGTON: New Zealand has formally expressed interest in becoming an associate member of the ASEAN Halal Council, marking a strategic move to deepen halal industry collaboration with Malaysia and the broader Southeast Asian region. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed the development during his five-day working visit to New Zealand. The proposal was discussed in meetings with New Zealand officials and the Malaysian diaspora in Auckland and Wellington. Ahmad Zahid, who chairs the Malaysian Halal Industry Development Council, highlighted the mutual benefits of this partnership. 'New Zealand's participation will enhance halal standard alignment and expand market opportunities for certified products,' he said. A key outcome of the talks includes New Zealand's agreement to leverage Malaysia as a distribution hub for its halal products in ASEAN and traditional markets. 'Malaysia's established trade networks position us as an ideal gateway,' Ahmad Zahid added. New Zealand has also committed to participating in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) in September, joining business matching sessions with Malaysian and international industry players. The visit, attended by Malaysia's High Commissioner to New Zealand Mazita Marzuki, emphasized strengthening bilateral ties in trade, investment, and halal sector growth. - Bernama
Malaysian Reserve
18-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
New Zealand seeks associate membership in ASEAN Halal Council
NEW ZEALAND has expressed its interest in joining the ASEAN Halal Council as an associate member, signalling a strong commitment to strengthening halal cooperation with Malaysia and the Southeast Asian region. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the proposal was raised during several meetings with New Zealand government officials and members of the Malaysian diaspora in Auckland and Wellington. 'This is a positive development that opens wider avenues for collaboration within the halal ecosystem—not only between our two nations but across the region,' he said. 'In several of these discussions, New Zealand also agreed to position Malaysia as a strategic hub for the distribution of its halal products to ASEAN markets, as well as to traditional markets with established Malaysian trade links,' he added. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, told reporters at the conclusion of his five-day working visit to New Zealand on Saturday (Friday in Malaysia). Also present were Malaysia's High Commissioner to New Zealand, Mazita Marzuki, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Undersecretary for the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Oceania Division, John K. Samuel. As the Malaysian Halal Industry Development Council chairman, Ahmad Zahid noted that the participation of non-ASEAN countries such as New Zealand in regional halal platforms would enhance the alignment of standards and further ensure the global marketability of halal-certified products. Malaysia, he said, is prepared to act as a regional halal hub, offering New Zealand companies access to the ASEAN market through various collaborative initiatives, including participation in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS). He confirmed that New Zealand has agreed to participate in MIHAS, scheduled to be held in September, and will also be involved in business matching sessions with industry players from Malaysia and other participating countries. The five-day visit, which began on July 14, focused on enhancing bilateral ties, particularly in trade, investment, and halal industry development. — BERNAMA
Barnama
18-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
New Zealand Seeks Associate Membership In ASEAN Halal Council
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (centre) holds a press conference in conjunction with the final day of his official working visit to New Zealand today. From Ahmad Erwan Othman WELLINGTON, July 18 (Bernama) -- New Zealand has expressed its interest in joining the ASEAN Halal Council as an associate member, signalling a strong commitment to strengthening halal cooperation with Malaysia and the Southeast Asian region. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the proposal was raised during several meetings with New Zealand government officials and members of the Malaysian diaspora in Auckland and Wellington. 'This is a positive development that opens wider avenues for collaboration within the halal ecosystem—not only between our two nations but across the region,' he said. 'In several of these discussions, New Zealand also agreed to position Malaysia as a strategic hub for the distribution of its halal products to ASEAN markets, as well as to traditional markets with established Malaysian trade links,' he added. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, told reporters at the conclusion of his five-day working visit to New Zealand on Saturday (Friday in Malaysia). Also present were Malaysia's High Commissioner to New Zealand, Mazita Marzuki, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Undersecretary for the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Oceania Division, John K. Samuel. As the Malaysian Halal Industry Development Council chairman, Ahmad Zahid noted that the participation of non-ASEAN countries such as New Zealand in regional halal platforms would enhance the alignment of standards and further ensure the global marketability of halal-certified products. Malaysia, he said, is prepared to act as a regional halal hub, offering New Zealand companies access to the ASEAN market through various collaborative initiatives, including participation in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS).
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia, Indonesia to lead establishment of ASEAN Halal Council
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Indonesia are set to lead the establishment of the ASEAN Halal Council to position the bloc as a global model for the halal industry, built on high standards and integrity, and to emerge as a competitive, inclusive and sustainable global halal hub, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Deputy Prime Minister said that with the global halal market projected to reach USD5 trillion (USD1 = RM4.22) by 2030, ASEAN must emerge as a leader in developing a complementary and competitive regional halal ecosystem. Ahmad Zahid, who also chairs the Halal Industry Development Council of Malaysia, said both countries had agreed to jointly spearhead the formation of the ASEAN Halal Council this year. 'This will serve as a strategic platform to systematically align halal policies, standards and regulations among ASEAN countries. We are strongly committed to elevating halal cooperation to a higher level, focusing on strengthening the position of both countries' halal products in regional and global markets. 'This collaboration will also be a testament to the success of Malaysia's 'Halal Diplomacy' in strengthening the national halal brand globally,' he said in a statement following a strategic meeting with Indonesia's head of the Halal Product Assurance Organising Agency (BPJPH), Haikal Hassan Baras, on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit here today. Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia and Indonesia would intensify joint efforts in halal certification, education, research and halal workforce development. He said Malaysia also fully supports expert exchange programmes, joint training and collaborative research to strengthen the ASEAN halal value chain. Both countries also agreed to expand halal trade by easing market access for halal products and enhancing mutual recognition of halal certification. 'This move will facilitate smoother and more industry-friendly halal trade flows, while supporting the growth of intra-ASEAN trade. It is expected to have a positive impact on halal market demand in ASEAN, which comprises nearly 700 million people,' he said. Ahmad Zahid noted that the meeting was a continuation of his recent official visit to Indonesia, which marked the beginning of deeper collaboration between the two nations in leading the development of the regional halal industry.
Barnama
26-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Malaysia, Indonesia To Lead Establishment Of ASEAN Halal Council
KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Indonesia are set to lead the establishment of the ASEAN Halal Council to position the bloc as a global model for the halal industry, built on high standards and integrity, and to emerge as a competitive, inclusive and sustainable global halal hub, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Deputy Prime Minister said that with the global halal market projected to reach USD5 trillion (USD1 = RM4.22) by 2030, ASEAN must emerge as a leader in developing a complementary and competitive regional halal ecosystem. Ahmad Zahid, who also chairs the Halal Industry Development Council of Malaysia, said both countries had agreed to jointly spearhead the formation of the ASEAN Halal Council this year. 'This will serve as a strategic platform to systematically align halal policies, standards and regulations among ASEAN countries. We are strongly committed to elevating halal cooperation to a higher level, focusing on strengthening the position of both countries' halal products in regional and global markets. 'This collaboration will also be a testament to the success of Malaysia's 'Halal Diplomacy' in strengthening the national halal brand globally,' he said in a statement following a strategic meeting with Indonesia's head of the Halal Product Assurance Organising Agency (BPJPH), Haikal Hassan Baras, on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit here today. Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia and Indonesia would intensify joint efforts in halal certification, education, research and halal workforce development. He said Malaysia also fully supports expert exchange programmes, joint training and collaborative research to strengthen the ASEAN halal value chain. Both countries also agreed to expand halal trade by easing market access for halal products and enhancing mutual recognition of halal certification. 'This move will facilitate smoother and more industry-friendly halal trade flows, while supporting the growth of intra-ASEAN trade. It is expected to have a positive impact on halal market demand in ASEAN, which comprises nearly 700 million people,' he said.
