The Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC) is taking proactive steps to accelerate the development of the halal industry in the region by organising the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) – Halal Industry Module. This bilateral technical cooperation program, established by the Malaysian government, aims to share Malaysia’s development experiences and expertise with other developing countries.
The inaugural series of the program, titled “Halal: Industry Awareness and Ecosystem Development,” recently concluded with 15 international delegates from the Philippines, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and Thailand completing the 10-day course. This specially designed program helps each country’s representatives understand and experience Malaysia’s approach to developing the halal ecosystem, guiding them in establishing their own halal ecosystems.
Speaking at the MTCP’s closing ceremony, HDC Chairman Khairul Azwan Harun highlighted the importance of sharing experiences with ASEAN neighbors, noting the cultural and experiential similarities. “As the upcoming ASEAN Chairing country in 2025, Malaysia is focused on strengthening engagement within ASEAN, allowing us to share our resources and collectively build a community that benefits from each other’s expertise,” said Azwan.
With 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide, accounting for 24% of the global population, the demand for halal products and services is significant. The global halal market is projected to reach USD 5 trillion by 2030, a market size “too significant for ASEAN to ignore and too vast for any one country to fulfill alone,” Azwan added.
Azwan expressed hope that ASEAN countries can collaborate to build a robust halal ecosystem and collectively tap into this economic opportunity. “We, at HDC, can help develop a customized framework to realise the potential of halal trade in various aspects, as well as solutions to support the movements of halal products and services,” he said.
Fully funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia (MOFA), this program underscores Malaysia’s crucial role in advancing halal awareness and supporting ecosystem development in the industry. This initiative further cements HDC’s standing as a premier institution committed to promoting knowledge, expertise, and best practices in the global halal industry.
