Malaysia And Saudi Arabia Commit To Strengthening Halal Industry Ties

In a significant step towards fostering international collaboration in the halal industry, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Malaysia Halal Development Council (MPIH), Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, welcomed Dr. Hisham bin Saad Aljadhey, CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), in Kuala Lumpur. This meeting underscored the mutual commitment to enhancing cooperation within the halal sector, a move solidified by the signing of a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) between the SFDA’s Saudi Halal Center and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM).

The MOC aims to facilitate the mutual recognition of halal certificates for locally produced goods exported between Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. This agreement marks a pivotal moment for both nations, promising to streamline trade processes and ensure the quality and compliance of halal products across borders.

Notable attendees included Saudi Deputy Ambassador to Malaysia Saleh AlBudaiwi, Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Thukair, CEO of the Saudi Export Development Authority, and Saud bin Rashid Al-Askar, Deputy Governor for Conformity and Quality at the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO). The meeting also saw participation from Adel Al-Kaied, Executive Director of the Saudi Accreditation Center, Sami Al-Sager, Vice President for Operations at the SFDA, Fahad Al-Nuhait, CEO of Halal Products Development Company, and Musaid Al-Obaidi, advisor to the Saudi Export Development Authority.

Representing Malaysia alongside Ahmad Zahid Hamidi were Khairul Azwan Harun, Chairman of the Halal Development Corporation, officials from the halal industry, and representatives from the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This gathering not only highlighted the importance of integration and collaboration in promoting halal industry standards but also set a precedent for future partnerships between Saudi Arabia and Malaysia.

The collaboration between SFDA’s Saudi Halal Center and JAKIM through this MOC is expected to significantly contribute to the growth and development of the halal market globally. By ensuring that halal certification processes are harmonized and recognized mutually, both countries aim to enhance consumer confidence in their halal products and facilitate smoother trade relations.

This meeting between high-ranking officials from Saudi Arabia and Malaysia demonstrates a shared vision for advancing the halal industry through strategic partnerships. As these nations move forward with this initiative, they pave the way for a more integrated global halal market that benefits producers, consumers, and economies alike.

With inputs from SPA