Muslim's Involvement In Halal Industry Still Low: Musa

May 17, 2009 15:57 PM

Muslim's Involvement In Halal Industry Still Low: Musa



TAWAU, May 17 (Bernama) -- The number of Muslim entrepreneurs embarking in the halal industry in Sabah is still low compared to the non-Muslims despite the industry's huge potential, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said.

He said that at the moment, non-Muslim entrepreneurs controlled about 80 per cent of the industry.

"Muslim entrepreneurs should therefore venture into the industry in a big way," he said when opening the state-level halal industry exhibition and seminar here Sunday.

The two-day seminar, which also attracted participants from Brunei and Indonesia, is organised by the Standard Malaysia and Sabah Economic Development Corporation.

Musa said the global halal industry's annual worth is RM7.4 trillion and continued to show growth in line with the increase in Muslim population, which currently stood at 1.6 billion.

He said that in Malaysia alone, the industry was valued at RM28.9 billion.

"This growth is not only due to the need to fulfil religious obligation but also due to the fact that the halal industry itself is a powerful market force," he said.

Speaking to reporters later, Musa attributed the lack of participation among Muslim entrepreneurs in the halal industry to the lack of awareness on its potentials.

He called on Muslim entrepreneurs to change their perception and view the industry as a source for growth.

-- BERNAMA