George town: The government has allocated RM150,000 this year for the Penang Regional Development Authority (PERDA) to implement the Halal Certification Programme aimed at producing more competitive small and medium enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs. PERDA general manager Datuk Mohd Asri Baharum @ Harun announced that the allocation will fund 10 entrepreneurs who have been identified to participate in the programme, thereby helping them gain wider access to domestic and international markets.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the entrepreneurs participating in this initiative are from the PERDA Food Park Complex, those mentored by the agency, and tenants of PERDA-owned business premises. All 10 entrepreneurs are expected to obtain halal certification for their respective products by October or November this year. The programme adopts a comprehensive approach that includes training, advisory services, guidance on documentation, as well as upgrading business premise infrastructure and production operation systems.
PERDA will also assist in the preparation of complete documentation and engagement sessions with relevant parties, such as the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and the Ministry of Health (MOH), to ensure entrepreneurs comply with all specifications and standards required to obtain halal certification. The initiative, implemented since the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), has already helped 22 entrepreneurs obtain halal certification for their products.
Monitoring by the agency has found that business premises not meeting the required specifications are among the main constraints faced by SME entrepreneurs in obtaining halal certification. Through the programme, PERDA helps upgrade the entrepreneurs' premises to meet the necessary standards. When entrepreneurs have halal certification, their products can penetrate wider markets, including major supermarket chains and overseas markets. Without the certification, expansion remains challenging.
Mohd Asri shared his insights on the global halal market, noting his experience at halal forums in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and Shanghai, China, which demonstrated strong demand for Malaysian products. He emphasized that Malaysian products are well received and considered of high quality, showing that halal certification is not only a religious requirement but also a commercial value-add that opens export opportunities.