Malaysia, Vietnam to Boost Halal Cooperation Through Industrial Park, ASEAN Council
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 (Bernama) -- The establishment of a halal industrial park in Vietnam and the ASEAN Halal Council have been identified as key areas of new cooperation between Malaysia and Vietnam.
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha welcomed Malaysia’s initiative, noting that the proposed halal industrial park would leverage Malaysia’s five decades of experience in halal certification, alongside Vietnam’s strong agricultural base.
Ha, who is on an official visit to Malaysia in conjunction with Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s attendance at the 46th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-46), said Malaysia is recognised as a pioneer in halal certification and exports.
“I think Malaysia holds a very important position globally in halal production, from manufacturing to the export of halal products, and I would say it is a leading producer in this field.
“Vietnam is a powerhouse of agricultural production. We have exported a large quantity of our agricultural products, for example, rice, to the world to secure food security for many countries,” he told a joint press conference with Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi here Friday.
In the halal industry, Ha confirmed Vietnam’s participation in the ASEAN Halal Council, which will be led by Malaysia and neighbouring countries.
“We also agree with the Deputy Prime Minister that in ASEAN, we are going to establish the ASEAN Halal Council, with the lead from Malaysia and other neighbouring countries.
“Vietnam will join this council so that we can produce halal products within the ASEAN region, backed by ASEAN certification and standards, to reach global markets,” he said.
Ha also described Malaysia-Vietnam ties as a model of cordial friendship and mutual partnership, elevated to the highest level through the Strategic Comprehensive Partnership.
“Malaysia has enjoyed a very cordial relationship, serving as a model of friendship and cooperation for mutual development globally. Vietnam and Malaysia have already elevated this to the highest level of diplomatic ties -- the Strategic Comprehensive Partnership,” he said.
He said both sides also discussed enhancing trade and investment through the Intergovernmental Committee’s action plan.
“We need to enhance cooperation to increase the trade volume from US$10 billion at the moment to US$18 billion in the near future,” he said.
Earlier, Ha and Zahid said their 30-minute meeting discussed, among others, the development of the halal industry in both countries, including Malaysia’s readiness to assist the republic in developing its halal sector through certification by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) as well as training.
-- BERNAMA
