Latest news with #HELF
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia boosts halal trade with Africa as exports to Algeria rise
NEW DELHI: Malaysia is looking at deepening halal trade links with African countries following an impressive growth in exports to Algeria, one of the region's top economies. Malaysia underscored its interest in boosting collaboration with African partners in various halal industries at the recently held Halal Economic Leadership Forum (HELF) 2025 in Algiers. The event was held in conjunction with the Islamic Development Bank's (IsDB) Annual Meeting and Private Sector Forum. "We had discussions on the need for capacity building and technical training, with Malaysia offering expertise and knowledge transfer to develop local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and certification bodies," Malaysia's ambassador to Algeria Rizany Irwan Muhamad Mazlan told Bernama. Co-organised by the Halal Development Corporation (HDC) under Malaysia's Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), the IsDB, and the Halal Products Development Company (HPDC), a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), the high-profile forum recognised Africa's strategic importance in the vast global halal economy. Malaysia's halal exports to Algeria in 2024 grew 24 per cent to reach RM156.30 million, with key segments being food and beverages, cosmetics, halal-certified ingredients and palm oil-based goods, Rizany told the forum. "Participants called for greater public-private collaboration and continued dialogue to advance halal economic integration and praised Malaysia's leading position in the global halal sector," he said. "Malaysia is committed to strengthen collaboration with Algeria and other Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states to improve halal supply chains, enhance trade integration and support shared socio-economic development," he said. Fostering entrepreneurship and encouraging innovation are seen as key to building resilient halal supply chains, with participants proposing the establishment of halal industrial zones to boost regional production capacity and world market competitiveness. Africa is seen as having significant potential both as a market and production base in the global halal business. Rizany said key agenda topics included mutual recognition of halal certification, enhancing Malaysia–North Africa trade facilitation, investment in logistics infrastructure and support systems for SMEs in halal businesses. The forum, moderated by Samer Elesawi, head of the IsDB Centre of Excellence, was attended by more than 300 stakeholders representing public and private sectors, financial institutions, development agencies and halal industry players in OIC countries. The participants included HDC Malaysia chief executive officer Hairol Ariffein Sahari, PT. ILTHABI Rekatama Indonesia chairman Ilham A. Habibie, Nigeria's Dar Al Halal Group Ltd chief Muhammadu Dikko Ladan, Turkiye's Yildiz Holding general manager Rohaizad Hassan, Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican, secretary general of the Treasury of Malaysia, and Issa Faye, IsDB's director general for global practices and partnership. — BERNAMA
Malaysian Reserve
22-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Halal Economy Leadership Forum 2025 Strengthens Malaysia-Algeria Ties, Unlocks OIC-Wide Trade Potential
ALGIERS, Algeria, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Halal Economy Leadership Forum (HELF) 2025 successfully convened today at the Centre International de Conférences Algiers – Abdelatif Rahal, drawing together global leaders, policymakers, and industry pioneers to advance inclusive growth through the Halal economy. The forum was jointly hosted by Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC) under Malaysia's Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) via its Kuala Lumpur Centre of Excellence (IsDB KLCoE), and Halal Products Development Company (HPDC), a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). Held in conjunction with the IsDB Group Annual Meeting and Private Sector Forum, HELF 2025 focused on strengthening cross-border trade, investment, and innovation across the global Halal ecosystem. With the global Halal economy valued at over USD 3 trillion, the forum highlighted Africa's growing strategic importance — home to more than 540 million Muslims — as both a high-potential market and production hub for Halal goods and services. Representing Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, The Hon. Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, H.E. Rizany Irwan Muhamad Mazlan, Ambassador of Malaysia to Algeria, delivered the keynote address. Also in attendance were H.E. Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican, Secretary General of Treasury, Malaysia; Dr. Issa Faye, Director General of Global Practices and Partnership at IsDB; and Hairol Ariffein Sahari, CEO of HDC. Quoting the Minister's speech, H.E. Rizany noted that the previous HELF had yielded significant results, including enhanced global partnerships, fresh investments, and expanded market access across OIC member countries. Malaysia's Halal exports to Algeria rose by 24% in 2024, reaching RM156.3 million. Key exports included food and beverages, cosmetics, Halal-certified ingredients, and palm oil derivatives. Tengku Zafrul reiterated Malaysia's commitment in supporting initiatives that facilitate trade, develop industries, and expand market access for halal enterprises. This include deepening collaboration with Algeria and OIC member states to harness the full potential of the halal economy and create a future that is more inclusive, equitable and prosperous for all. In line with this, IsDB officials including Dr. Issa Faye and Mr. Samer Elesawi (IsDB KLCoE) called on member countries to take more active roles in Halal value chains, addressing shortages in Halal-certified raw materials and finished goods. To close these gaps, the development of dedicated halal industrial zones integrated by infrastructures and infostructures will be introduced in the participating IsDB member countries aimed at boosting production, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Attended by more than 300 participants, the forum addressed mutual Halal certification and trade facilitation between Malaysia and North Africa, investment in Halal industrial zones and logistics infrastructure across Africa, and capacity-building for SMEs and Halal certification agencies—leveraging Malaysia's expertise in Halal development and training. Following the success of its 2024 debut in Riyadh, HELF continues to serve as a strategic platform to unlock commercial opportunities across the global Halal value chain and drive economic integration among OIC member states. Photo – View original content:
