Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the initiative, announced under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) today, aimed to help Malaysia achieve its target of RM80 billion in halal exports and increase the sector’s share of the country’s gross domestic product to 11%.

To support this, new halal industrial parks will be developed in Melaka, Perak, and Kelantan, he told the Dewan Rakyat.

The halal industry is among several strategic sectors identified for focused development, alongside finance, tourism, creative industries and micro, small and medium enterprises.

Malaysia’s halal exports hit RM61.79 billion last year, led by the food and beverage, finance, and travel sectors.

Anwar previously said that Malaysia had a firm grip on the halal industry, but had to extend its influence beyond certification. He also said the global halal market held massive potential, the value of which reached billions of ringgit.