PENANG has seen the Halal industry chart impressive growth.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state was confident that Penang could unleash the industry’s best potential with the combined synergy of the Halal industry and Penang’s economic ecosystem.
“The Halal industry has the potential to set the world back on its course.
“However, for the Halal industry to thrive, we must spur our ecosystem with new technologies and explore all growth areas, including, equipping entrepreneurs with digital access and knowledge.
“We must seek to address potentially detrimental gaps. Pushing entrepreneurs to embrace digital technology will not work if they lack even basic Internet access.
“The sobering truth is that while half the global population wield tech and digitalisation to change the world, there are millions who still lack basic Internet access,” Chow said in his keynote address during the opening of the Penang International Halal Expo and Conference (Pihec) 2022 at Setia SPICE Convention Centre today.
Pihec 2022 is held from July 1 to 3.
Chow said that those who have the privilege of information via the Internet would remain ahead of the curve while those who do not have the same access could lack behind.
“I call on all governments worldwide to close this ‘gap’. Governments are given the mandate to lead their people to greater prosperity and to do that, we must invest in them.
“The global economy and the Halal ecosystem cannot grow without the aid of technology. While we encourage our brightest minds and entrepreneurs to leverage the wealth of digital resources, we cannot possibly ignore the bright minds trapped outside the digital corridors.
“Digital access is the key to social mobility. It should be seen as an indispensable right of every citizen,” he said.
Chow lauded the effort by the state Entrepreneurial Development, Trade and Industry office and the Penang Halal International (PHI) for jointly organising the 11th Penang International Halal Expo and Conference.
“This convention is a crucial component of the cooperation we need.
“It removes geographical borders, bringing together the most vibrant Halal entrepreneurs and cooperations for business collaborations,” he said.
Penang Entrepreneurial Development, Trade and Industry Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain said the world is facing a serious economic fallout.
“The current shortage of raw materials and increase in logistical costs have resulted in skyrocketing inflation worldwide.
“While these undoubtedly affect business all over the world, the lives of ordinary citizens, especially those from the lower-income groups are most greatly impacted.
“We, at Penang Halal International, are painfully aware of how income inequality has increased over the years, creating an ever-expanding gap between the rich and poor.
“To ensure Halal is a force for good, this industry must keep growing and, importantly, retains its strength.
“Halal businesses must practice the RSG strategy of resilience, sustainability, and growth.
“Only when we can put our heads together to find innovative ways to weather the storm, can we find resilience, and turn it into part of our business culture.
“Only then can our businesses become sustainable, providing a springboard from which we can bounce back in the face of any setbacks,” Abdul Halim said in his speech.
Abdul Halim said PIHEC 2022, with the theme ‘Building Resilience and Sustainability Towards Stronger Growth’, reflected the challenges facing the world today in terms of climate change, food security, and economic decoupling.
“It also reflects how the global Halal ecosystem can take advantage of our existing synergies and comparative advantages to spur the industry ahead into the future,” he said.
Among the highlights of the event were conferences as well as the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchanges between PHI and Foodpanda, Grab and the Instituto Halal of Spain.
Also present were PHI chief executive officer Fazil Irwan Som, InvestPenang chief executive officer Datuk Loo Lee Lian, Penang Development Corporation chief executive officer Aziz Bakar, Selangor Islamic Religious Affairs, Consumer Affairs and Halal Industry Committee chairman Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni and World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) Foundation chairman Tan Sri Dr Syed Hamid Albar.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud