Latest news with #MalaysiaInternationalHalalShowcase
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Many qualified Malaysian women not yet active in job market: Tengku Zafrul
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia continues to empower women's participation in the export sector through various strategic initiatives, in line with efforts to strengthen Asean's economic resilience and address global trade challenges. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the number of companies owned by women in Malaysia remains relatively low compared to other Asean countries. He said recent data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) indicate that there are about 210,000 women-owned firms in the country, representing around 20 per cent of all enterprises. Tengku Zafrul added that the country has yet to achieve full parity between men and women in the economic sphere, although Malaysia has closed 63.4 per cent of the gender gap in economic participation and opportunity. He also pointed out that women's workforce participation is at 52 per cent against 78 per cent for men in 2024, indicating underutilised potential. "This means that there are still many qualified women who are not yet active in the job market, let alone in the more challenging and competitive export sector," he said in his speech at the Women in Export (WiEX) Forum 2025. Tengku Zafrul said while there is room to enhance women involvement in the industrial and export sectors, they continue to face challenges such as limited access to market information, insufficient exposure to export needs and a lack of established business networks abroad. To help women access overseas markets more effectively, Tengku Zafrul said Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation remain committed to providing trade facilities. These include Madani Digital Trade platform, the Malaysia International Halal Showcase and trade missions across countries. "All the initiatives are open to women entrepreneurs who are keen to explore international markets, including emerging markets, such as West Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe, which present strong demand for Malaysian products. "Matrade also continuously monitors the participation of women entrepreneurs in international exhibitions and overseas trade missions. "Therefore, I would like to invite all women entrepreneurs to participate in these programs, so that you can all become competitive exporters on the international stage," he added. Tengku Zafrul said under the economic pillar of the Asean Chairmanship 2025, the ministry has also planned various forums focusing on women. The forums include Asean Women's Economic Summit 2025 on May 24-25 and the Asean Women Economic Forum on June 19, both being held for the first time in Kuala Lumpur. In conjunction with the forums, he said Asean's Women's Economic Empowerment Centre in Kuala Lumpur will be established. In a separate speech, Hawa Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the centre will provide opportunities for women to advance themselves in the economic field, especially in decision-making, trade and industry. "It will empower women to dominate the economic field. Hawa Malaysia believes that unleashing and unlocking women's economic power is the solution to achieving more dynamic and vibrant economic growth in the face of the global economy," she added.
The Star
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Asean chair boost for halal industry to go regional
Ahmad Zahid (fourth from left) with Chow on his right, launching the MPIHPP in Seberang Jaya. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star THE Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) can be the platform to expand the country's halal industries across Asean countries. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that through Matrade, Malaysia could utilise its position as Asean chairman to improve its position as a regional hub for halal industries. 'Malaysia should seize the chance to explore the halal industry market throughout Asean countries,' he said after launching the Penang Halal Industry Development Council (MPIHPP) in Seberang Jaya. He said only a few countries accepted products halal-certified by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim). Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said halal industries in countries such as Indonesia and Thailand were actively marketing their products to Malaysia. However, Malaysian halal products face difficulties entering the Asean market due to a lack of marketing efforts. 'Since Asean has a population of 600 million and represents a large market, we need to publicise Malaysia's halal products more aggressively,' he said. Ahmad Zahid, who is Halal Industry Development Council chairman, said Malaysia was considering setting up a regional council for halal matters. The country is also planning to organise an Asean forum in September to strengthen cross-border cooperation in halal industries. Besides Matrade, Ahmad Zahid also pointed out that the upcoming Malaysia International Halal Showcase could also be a regional halal business-matching platform. The launch of MPIHPP made Penang the first Malaysian state to have set up such a council. Describing the council formation as an important step in creating a strong halal ecosystem, Ahmad Zahid expressed hope it would bolster Malaysian halal industry in the region. The council was created following the Halal Industry Development Meeting chaired by Ahmad Zahid on Dec 3 last year. The meeting proposed that the council be set up at state level to improve teamwork between relevant agencies developing the halal industry. Present during the launch were Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid and Matrade chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican. Mohamad said Penang had taken proactive steps by creating the MPIHPP, which was approved during the state executive council meeting on Jan 22. As MPIHPP chairman, Mohamad said the creation of the council involved 25 government departments and agencies. He said MPIHPP was aligned with the federal-level Malaysian Halal Industry Development Council. 'The establishment of this council is significant in strengthening the development of the halal industry in the state and aligns with the Penang 2030 vision which prioritises a progressive, inclusive and sustainable economy. 'Close cooperation between the state and Federal governments is crucial, and it demonstrates the Federal government's support for our efforts at the state level,' he said in his speech during the launch. Mohamad expressed confidence the cooperation would make Penang a global leader in the halal industry. As of April this year, Penang has 870 companies that are registered with halal certifications. The figures placed Penang in third spot after Selangor and Johor as states with the most number of halal certification holders.
The Star
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Ahmad Zahid: Malaysia should leverage Asean chairmanship to expand halal market
BUTTERWORTH: Malaysia should seize the opportunity of its Asean Chairmanship in 2025 to expand the market for halal products and penetrate the Asean market, which comprises a population of 600 million, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamid. He said that although halal products from Indonesia and Thailand are marketed in Malaysia, local halal products have yet to penetrate the Asean market due to insufficient marketing efforts. "Since 600 million is a realistically large market for Malaysian halal products, the efforts by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) are geared towards expanding the market among Asean countries," he said. He was speaking to reporters after launching the Penang Halal Industry Development Council here on Monday (May 19), which was also attended by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) Chairman Datuk Seri Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Malaysian Halal Industry Development Council chairman, proposed the establishment of an Asean Halal Council and the organisation of an Asean Halal Forum this September. He said the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) will also feature halal products and invite Asean industry players for 'business matching' with potential importers. In addition, he said Malaysia is also collaborating to expand the production of halal gelatine-which currently has only one producer in the country-for both Asean and international markets, as existing gelatine products lack the proper standards required for other halal products. "This includes sectors such as medicine, cosmetics, and others, because we tend to focus only on the food and beverage (F&B) service sector, when in fact, other sectors hold vast market potential and should be further developed," he said. Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid noted that Malaysia possesses a comprehensive halal ecosystem, including halal certification recognised by 92 foreign halal certification bodies from 48 countries. At the same time, he congratulated Penang for becoming the first state in Malaysia to establish a Halal Industry Development Council. Malaysia continues to lead the global halal industry, recording exports valued at RM61.79bil in 2024, a 15% increase from 2023, and maintaining the number one position in the Global Islamic Economy Index for ten consecutive years. – Bernama
The Star
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Richiamo Coffee to open in Cambodia, Australia by September
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian coffee shop chain Richiamo Coffee Sdn Bhd, plans to expand internationally, targeting between five and 10 global markets within the next five years. Richiamo Group managing director Datuk Muhamad Zamry Abu Samah said the company will begin by opening outlets in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Melbourne, Australia, this September. He noted that Richiamo Coffee has been actively participating in international expos since last year to identify potential markets. 'Among the expos we participated in were held in Melbourne, Australia, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last year. 'We also took part in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in November. 'This year, we will attend expos in Osaka, Japan, and Germany,' he said in the latest programme produced by Bernama TV, Bual Bisnes, which aired last Saturday. Richiamo Coffee has also attracted interest from Uzbekistan and has signed a memorandum of understanding with stakeholders in the country. 'For global operations, Richiamo Coffee is keen to collaborate with investors interested in setting up a central kitchen in their respective countries to reduce production and logistics costs. 'Such an approach will also help us minimise import duties on our products,' he said. On domestic expansion, Muhamad Zamry said the company plans to increase the number of local outlets to 350 in the near future. Since its establishment in 2016, Richiamo Coffee has recorded rapid growth, with 220 outlets currently operating across Malaysia. Richiamo Mart, the group's retail-business arm, now also has 20 branches, he noted. 'We plan to boost product innovation by introducing new items every three months to attract new customers and retain existing ones,' he added. Richiamo Coffee participated in the Franchising and Business Opportunities Expo in Melbourne last October, where the Malaysian pavilion was hosted by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corp.
