Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said logically, the Malays should be monopolising the halal food industry as it was synonymous with Islam.
“However, it is the other way around and the Malays are being left far behind compared to the non-Malays in the halal food market share, both domestically and at the international level.
“This shows that the saying ‘where there is a will, there is a way’ is true. The non-Malays have shown strong will in capturing a greater share in the halal food market,” he said after launching the southern zone Malay entrepreneur festival here yesterday.
Mukhriz said because of their strong business determination, the non-Malays had managed to produce more halal products for both the domestic and international markets.
He said Malay entrepreneurs still had room to venture into the halal food market, which had an annual global value of about RM7.4 trillion.
He said with the global population of Muslims estimated at 1.6 billion people in 2008, and the number increasing every year, the Malays had vast opportunities in capturing the market.
On the festival, which was organised by the Malaysian Malay Chambers of Commerce, Mukhriz said it was a platform by which the chambers could provide encouragement to Malays in their entrepreneurial ventures.
He said those who were successful should not think about forging business empires but focus on plans to help others, especially those who had just started on their own ventures.
Mukhriz said they would not lose out if they were to give priority to developing other entrepreneurs because when many had succeeded in businesses, this would strengthen the business network.
“The Government will always provide the necessary assistance to those interested in business and there are also several agencies as well as banks to help the entrepreneurs.
“All that is needed is for the entrepreneurs to be committed and work hard to achieve success in their ventures,” he added.