China builds factories to produce products with Halal JAKIM logo - Ahmad Zahid

Conversion to halal products will create huge opportunities - Ahmad Maslan

China's interest shows the importance of the halal logo - Dr Mohd Daud Bakar

KUALA LUMPUR, Tuesday - China is investing in halal product factories in the country to meet demands from Muslim consumers worldwide, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the move was one of the results of Malaysia's efforts to promote its halal industry to China.

He said this after launching the Halal Development Corporation (HDC) brand and logo at the MATRADE Exhibition and Convention Centre (MECC) here Tuesday.

Also present were Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Ahmad Maslan and HDC chairman Tan Sri Dr Mohd Daud Bakar.

Ahmad Zahid said China wants to use the Halal logo issued by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) for its products.

"They (China) are now building factories in our country to produce products with the Halal logo, not only for the local market but also to be exported abroad," he said.

Ahmad Zahid said China's interest in the Halal logo showed how important the logo was for Muslims around the world.

"This shows that the halal industry is becoming increasingly important globally," he said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Maslan said the conversion of China to halal products will create huge opportunities for Malaysian entrepreneurs.

"We must take advantage of this opportunity to expand our halal industry to China," he said.

Dr Mohd Daud said HDC would continue to promote the halal industry and the Halal logo.

"We want to make the Halal logo a global benchmark," he said.