Good response to Penang halal park

THE halal park in Bukit Minyak, Seberang Prai in Penang, has attracted good response with the first phase, which covers more than 11ha of the 53ha-park, almost all taken up.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the phase was nearly filled up by companies involved in niche and high-technology halal activities such as manufacturing bulk liquid packaging, biotech and organic products.

“We are now receiving applications for the second phase,” he said at the inaugural Penang International Halal Conference 2010 at a hotel in Penang on Saturday.

“Potential investors include food manufacturing companies from Riyadh and China.

“They are looking to set up re-packaging and re-labelling facilities using the Halal Malaysia certification.

“Domestic investors are also set to expand their operations by re-investing in their current site or setting up another facility,” he said.

Lim noted that the Penang International Halal Hub (PIHH) had forged trade and investment links with countries such as Saudi Arabia, China, Germany, Nether-lands, UK, Singapore, Bahrain and Iran to facilitate trading, woo investors and enable local SMEs to venture into the global market.

“Nine memorandums of understanding (MoUs) have been signed with parties from Malaysia, Australia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, China and Yemen in Islamic financing, halal park development, hotel, tourism and agro-based industries,” he said.

He also said Penang would adhere to Syariah laws in order to transform itself into a halal hub.