ACE Magazine: Issue 2 / 2016 ACE Magazine: Issue 2 / 2016 | Page 21

Cargill, Adeka Foods, Rikevita, Kewpie, IFFCO, Kellogg’s and Ajinomoto. In fact, Nestle has set up a Halal Excellent Centre in Malaysia. From its Malaysian facility, Nestle exports halal expertise and knowledge to its other branches worldwide. Elsewhere, BRF S.A., a leading Brazilian food company and one of the top producers of poultry under its flagship brand ‘Sadia’ (a well­ -known halal brand in the Middle East), has announced the opening of an investment & development office in Malaysia. In 2015, BRF was responsible for 14% of the world’s poultry trade. MIDA has been engaging with this company for quite some time. We are glad that BRF has finally set up an office here to gather critical information and accelerate its on­ going business development and feasibility studies to invest in Malaysia. Not lagging behind are our local companies such as Ramly Food Processing, Mamee Double Decker, Dewina Food Industries, Felda Global Ventures (FGV) and Chemical Company of Malaysia (CCM) which have carved a name for themselves in Malaysia and the global markets. We are in the final phase of the Halal Industry Master Plan (20082020) to make Malaysia the leader in innovation, production and trade for halal products and services. Malaysia is on track to become the Global Reference Centre for Halal Integrity and Centre for Innovation, Product and Trade through the strategies laid out under the 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-2020). In February this year, the Government has announced the establishment of the Malaysia Halal Council. This demonstrates Malaysia’s commitment to become a global halal leader through better coordination in the development of the halal industry in Malaysia. Evidently, Malaysia is at the forefront of the halal industry. Built on past successes, Malaysia will continue to pave the way to accelerate growth in new, emerging and higher value added areas in the halal industry. As the principal investment promotion agency, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) continues to intensify efforts to promote the growth and development of the halal industry in Malaysia. We stand ready to facilitate investment into the country by maintaining a strong and comprehensive halal ecosystem and in ensuring that the business environment is conducive for investments. Dato’ Azman Mahmud is the Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), the government’s principal agency for the promotion of the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. The article is an excerpt of a welcoming remark delivered during the World Halal Conference 2016 on 31 March 2016. ISSUE 2 : 2016 | ASEAN COMMUNITY OF ENTREPRENEURS 19