April 16, 2007 23:30 PM
From Sharifah Nur Shahrizad Syed Sharer
WELLINGTON, April 16 (Bernama) -- New Zealand is keen on smart partnerships with Malaysia in exlporing halal markets on a global scale, said Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He said New Zealand's Agriculture Minister Jim Anderson had conveyed to him his country's keen interest to join Malaysia in exploring the market, which now stood at about US$500 bilion (RM1.75 trillion).
"I informed him that Malaysia was the best choice for the purpose as besides New Zealand exporting its products to us, by using our halal certifications and logos, we (Malaysia and New Zealand) can capture a big chunk of the global halal market. It is definite win-win situation for both countries," he told Bernama after meeting with Anderson at the latter's office here, Monday.
He said that he also took the opportunity to brief Anderson about the halal concept and the potential it held for both countries. The halal concept refers to food and other materials permissible by Islam.
"The minister felt it is a good idea and plans to pursue it further," Muhyiddin said.
He said it was also in line with Malaysia's aim to be a global hub for halal food and an agricultural powerhouse.
Muhyiddin said that in the meeting, Malaysia also sought for greater access for its agricultural produce like tropical fruits, flowers and ornamental fish.
Presently, trade between the two countries was heavily in favour of New Zealand with its exports outweighing imports by 11 times, US$218.4 million (RM763 million) to US$19.4 million (RM70 million), he said.
The matter would be ironed out through meetings at the senior officers level as soon as possible, said Muhyiddin.
He said that Malaysia also asked new Zealand to help train Malaysians in the field of agriculture and agro-based industries as part of Malaysia's human capital development efforts.
He said that New Zealand being an advanced agriculture nation, could help Malaysia develop skilled personnel in ensuring quality agricultural produce and also tapping more into downstream activities, which could be operated on a joint venture basis.
On the New Zealand side, Muhyiddin said Anderson asked for Malaysia's help to review the status of some of its abbatoirs, which had their halal certification suspended for not meeting standards required by Malaysia.
To this, Muhyiddin said Malaysia agreed to send a team of inspectors to check on seven such abbatoirs from April 19 to 28.
"But at the same time, I asked the New Zealand government and its Food Security Agency to play a proactive role in ensuring the companies issued halal certifications truly observed the protocols required under the halal code," he added.
-- BERNAMA
Source : http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=257131
From Sharifah Nur Shahrizad Syed Sharer
WELLINGTON, April 16 (Bernama) -- New Zealand is keen on smart partnerships with Malaysia in exlporing halal markets on a global scale, said Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He said New Zealand's Agriculture Minister Jim Anderson had conveyed to him his country's keen interest to join Malaysia in exploring the market, which now stood at about US$500 bilion (RM1.75 trillion).
"I informed him that Malaysia was the best choice for the purpose as besides New Zealand exporting its products to us, by using our halal certifications and logos, we (Malaysia and New Zealand) can capture a big chunk of the global halal market. It is definite win-win situation for both countries," he told Bernama after meeting with Anderson at the latter's office here, Monday.
He said that he also took the opportunity to brief Anderson about the halal concept and the potential it held for both countries. The halal concept refers to food and other materials permissible by Islam.
"The minister felt it is a good idea and plans to pursue it further," Muhyiddin said.
He said it was also in line with Malaysia's aim to be a global hub for halal food and an agricultural powerhouse.
Muhyiddin said that in the meeting, Malaysia also sought for greater access for its agricultural produce like tropical fruits, flowers and ornamental fish.
Presently, trade between the two countries was heavily in favour of New Zealand with its exports outweighing imports by 11 times, US$218.4 million (RM763 million) to US$19.4 million (RM70 million), he said.
The matter would be ironed out through meetings at the senior officers level as soon as possible, said Muhyiddin.
He said that Malaysia also asked new Zealand to help train Malaysians in the field of agriculture and agro-based industries as part of Malaysia's human capital development efforts.
He said that New Zealand being an advanced agriculture nation, could help Malaysia develop skilled personnel in ensuring quality agricultural produce and also tapping more into downstream activities, which could be operated on a joint venture basis.
On the New Zealand side, Muhyiddin said Anderson asked for Malaysia's help to review the status of some of its abbatoirs, which had their halal certification suspended for not meeting standards required by Malaysia.
To this, Muhyiddin said Malaysia agreed to send a team of inspectors to check on seven such abbatoirs from April 19 to 28.
"But at the same time, I asked the New Zealand government and its Food Security Agency to play a proactive role in ensuring the companies issued halal certifications truly observed the protocols required under the halal code," he added.
-- BERNAMA
Source : http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=257131
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