MIRI: The global halal market is valued at RM9.7 trillion and is expected to increase by 20 per cent by 2015.

Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan said the potential market of halal products and services was huge.

“The market is not limited to Muslims but halal products and services are also popular among non-Muslims also,” he said when officiating at a workshop on ‘Malaysia Halal Certification, Packaging and Branding’ here yesterday.

Sagan, who is also Baram MP, thus urged small medium enterprise (SME) businesses to venture into the halal market which had yet to be fully explored.

“The halal industry of today is no longer confined to food and food products. It includes the service sector such as logistic, packaging, branding and marketing, pharmaceutical product, grooming and cosmetic, financial, entertainment, investment as well as tourism.

“This is why the (Malaysian) government is keen to make this country a world halal hub by giving the SMEs opportunities to go into the domestic halal industry and market their products and services overseas.”

He added that with the implementation of ASEAN Free Trade Areas (AFTA) by 2015, it would be easier for halal Malaysian products and services to penetrate the regional market.

Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister Department (Entrepreneur Development) Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais and deputy chief cxecutive of SME Corporation Malaysia Mahdi Mohd Ariffin were among those present at the function.