Latest news with #MalaysiaInternationalHalalShowcase
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
New Zealand seeks ASEAN Halal Council membership via Malaysia
WELLINGTON: New Zealand has formally expressed interest in becoming an associate member of the ASEAN Halal Council, marking a strategic move to deepen halal industry collaboration with Malaysia and the broader Southeast Asian region. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed the development during his five-day working visit to New Zealand. The proposal was discussed in meetings with New Zealand officials and the Malaysian diaspora in Auckland and Wellington. Ahmad Zahid, who chairs the Malaysian Halal Industry Development Council, highlighted the mutual benefits of this partnership. 'New Zealand's participation will enhance halal standard alignment and expand market opportunities for certified products,' he said. A key outcome of the talks includes New Zealand's agreement to leverage Malaysia as a distribution hub for its halal products in ASEAN and traditional markets. 'Malaysia's established trade networks position us as an ideal gateway,' Ahmad Zahid added. New Zealand has also committed to participating in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) in September, joining business matching sessions with Malaysian and international industry players. The visit, attended by Malaysia's High Commissioner to New Zealand Mazita Marzuki, emphasized strengthening bilateral ties in trade, investment, and halal sector growth. - Bernama
Malaysian Reserve
2 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
New Zealand seeks associate membership in ASEAN Halal Council
NEW ZEALAND has expressed its interest in joining the ASEAN Halal Council as an associate member, signalling a strong commitment to strengthening halal cooperation with Malaysia and the Southeast Asian region. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the proposal was raised during several meetings with New Zealand government officials and members of the Malaysian diaspora in Auckland and Wellington. 'This is a positive development that opens wider avenues for collaboration within the halal ecosystem—not only between our two nations but across the region,' he said. 'In several of these discussions, New Zealand also agreed to position Malaysia as a strategic hub for the distribution of its halal products to ASEAN markets, as well as to traditional markets with established Malaysian trade links,' he added. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, told reporters at the conclusion of his five-day working visit to New Zealand on Saturday (Friday in Malaysia). Also present were Malaysia's High Commissioner to New Zealand, Mazita Marzuki, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Undersecretary for the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Oceania Division, John K. Samuel. As the Malaysian Halal Industry Development Council chairman, Ahmad Zahid noted that the participation of non-ASEAN countries such as New Zealand in regional halal platforms would enhance the alignment of standards and further ensure the global marketability of halal-certified products. Malaysia, he said, is prepared to act as a regional halal hub, offering New Zealand companies access to the ASEAN market through various collaborative initiatives, including participation in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS). He confirmed that New Zealand has agreed to participate in MIHAS, scheduled to be held in September, and will also be involved in business matching sessions with industry players from Malaysia and other participating countries. The five-day visit, which began on July 14, focused on enhancing bilateral ties, particularly in trade, investment, and halal industry development. — BERNAMA
Barnama
2 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
New Zealand Seeks Associate Membership In ASEAN Halal Council
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (centre) holds a press conference in conjunction with the final day of his official working visit to New Zealand today. From Ahmad Erwan Othman WELLINGTON, July 18 (Bernama) -- New Zealand has expressed its interest in joining the ASEAN Halal Council as an associate member, signalling a strong commitment to strengthening halal cooperation with Malaysia and the Southeast Asian region. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the proposal was raised during several meetings with New Zealand government officials and members of the Malaysian diaspora in Auckland and Wellington. 'This is a positive development that opens wider avenues for collaboration within the halal ecosystem—not only between our two nations but across the region,' he said. 'In several of these discussions, New Zealand also agreed to position Malaysia as a strategic hub for the distribution of its halal products to ASEAN markets, as well as to traditional markets with established Malaysian trade links,' he added. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, told reporters at the conclusion of his five-day working visit to New Zealand on Saturday (Friday in Malaysia). Also present were Malaysia's High Commissioner to New Zealand, Mazita Marzuki, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Undersecretary for the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Oceania Division, John K. Samuel. As the Malaysian Halal Industry Development Council chairman, Ahmad Zahid noted that the participation of non-ASEAN countries such as New Zealand in regional halal platforms would enhance the alignment of standards and further ensure the global marketability of halal-certified products. Malaysia, he said, is prepared to act as a regional halal hub, offering New Zealand companies access to the ASEAN market through various collaborative initiatives, including participation in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS).
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Zahid shrugs off critics, cements strategic ties in New Zealand
WELLINGTON: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has opted to remain focused on serving the people and the nation rather than paying heed to criticism levelled at him during his five-day working visit to New Zealand, which concludes today. He acknowledged that any initiative he undertook was often met with disapproval from the opposition — an inevitable facet of political life. "If it's something good, ask a friend. If it's not, ask an enemy. An enemy is someone who dislikes us. No matter what good we do, they will never see it as such. "Criticism is part and parcel of politics — whether one is a minister, deputy prime minister, or even the prime minister travelling abroad. Such cynicism should not be entertained. "What matters is the knowledge we gain in fields yet to be developed in our country, which we can explore and adapt for our benefit. "Don't be arrogant, don't be boastful, don't be conceited. These attitudes are damaging — particularly when such cynicism comes from those who claim to be deeply religious," he said at a press conference this morning summarising his visit. Also present were Malaysia's High Commissioner to New Zealand Mazita Marzuki and the Foreign Ministry's Secretary for the Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Oceania Division John K. Samuel. Reflecting on the outcomes of the visit, Zahid said numerous strategic collaborations were established — including those aimed at empowering the rights and welfare of the Indigenous community, as well as initiatives in halal industry development, education, agriculture, trade, and disaster management. He said that New Zealand had also expressed interest in joining the Asean Halal Council as an associate member, should Malaysia extend a formal invitation. The country is also expected to participate as an exhibitor at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas) in September. Zahid chairs the Malaysian Halal Industry Development Council. New Zealand, he said, had also requested an increase in Malaysia's pineapple exports to fill a shortfall in its domestic market. In response, he plans to raise the matter with Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and instruct relevant state executive councillors in Selangor, Pahang, Johor and Melaka to scale up cultivation of the tropical fruit. During a meeting with the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, Zahid said he received a request for the Quran to be translated into the Māori language. "They asked whether Malaysia could donate copies of the Quran in Māori. I have contacted the Restu Foundation to undertake the translation. The funding will not come from the government, but from individuals or relevant parties. "There are about 1,200 Māori Muslims. I believe this is a meaningful starting point to support them. With 96 mosques across the country, we will do what we can to assist," he said.
Malaysian Reserve
3 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Malaysia offers to be halal gateway for New Zealand into ASEAN market
by HIDAYATH HISHAM MALAYSIA is prepared to become a distribution and marketing hub for halal products from New Zealand to the wider Southeast Asian region. According to Utusan Malaysia, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (picture) said this proposal was conveyed during his visit to Wellington, where he invited New Zealand's halal industry players to join the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) this September. Ahmad Zahid, who also chairs the Halal Industry Development Council (MPIH), said the move would help New Zealand tap into ASEAN's halal market, with Malaysia acting as a strategic base. 'While in Wellington, I took the opportunity to push for deeper halal collaboration between Malaysia and New Zealand. My focus was on promoting ASEAN halal products into the Asia-Pacific. 'Currently, two organisations in New Zealand have already received halal certification recognition from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) for exports to Malaysia. 'I've now opened the door for them to use Malaysia as a hub for distributing New Zealand's halal products to ASEAN. I've also suggested they take part in MIHAS,' he said during a press conference after the Malaysia–New Zealand Halal Forum. Also present were New Zealand's Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety, Andrew Hoggard, and Malaysia's High Commissioner to New Zealand, Mazita Marzuki. Ahmad Zahid added that Malaysia would use the MIHAS platform to announce the formation of the ASEAN Halal Council, comprising all Southeast Asian nations. He said halal certifying bodies endorsed by Jakim would also be invited to join the ASEAN Halal Plus Council to harmonise regional halal standards. During the forum, Ahmad Zahid witnessed the exchange of letters of intent between Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and the University of Canterbury (UC), aimed at strengthening cooperation in chemical and process engineering, halal food technology, and sustainable development. Ahmad Zahid also dismissed concerns that Jakim's stringent halal procedures would be an obstacle for New Zealand businesses. He explained that Jakim had already authorised two local halal bodies in New Zealand to handle certification, removing the need for companies to go through Jakim directly. 'Jakim will continue periodic audits to ensure compliance with the standards. But I see no issues — I had discussions this morning with the two associations already certified by Jakim and the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS),' he said. New Zealand's halal exports to Malaysia surpassed NZ$60 million (RM151 million) last year, driven largely by premium halal meat products.
