He said the industry had huge potential with the global halal trade value reaching billions of ringgit.

“The halal industry is not just limited to the slaughtering of animals but also related to the manufacturing and cosmetics sectors and so on.

“We must take a serious view as to how we can lift (the halal industry) so that we can become the hub of halal industry activities, including comprehensive Islamic financing according to the objectives of Maqasid Syariah,” he said at the launch of the Penang International Halal Expo here today.

Anwar said the Islamic development department (Jakim) must work with other agencies like the Halal Development Corporation, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) and Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) to foster a more holistic understanding of the halal industry, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises.