KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has the potential to generate between RM30 billion and RM50 billion in economic value over the next decade through the development of its herbal industry, as the government aims to position the country as a leading BioHerbal Innovation Hub in Asia.
In a Facebook post tonight, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the matter was discussed during the first meeting of the National Herbal Development Council (MPHN), which he chaired today.
He said the meeting, which aimed to drive policy and strategic objectives to unlock the full potential of Malaysia’s herbal industry, also discussed efforts to realise this potential through well-coordinated public and private investments, along with the right policy priorities.
“This extraordinary potential can be harnessed through various focused efforts such as the commercial cultivation of priority medicinal plants, clinical validation and evidence-based herbal medicine, as well as AI-assisted phytochemical discoveries.
“At the same time, emphasis should also be placed on genomic and metabolomic research for herbal compounds, intellectual property (IP) protection and international patents, as well as the production of export-oriented halal herbal products,” he said.
Dzulkefly said these efforts must be implemented alongside the integration of biotechnology and precision medicine, as well as the development of stronger regulatory pathways aligned with international standards.
He noted that Malaysia, ranked 12th globally in the National Biodiversity Index, has significant competitive advantages in developing the herbal industry, including being one of 17 megadiverse countries in the world, with approximately 1,200 plant species in Peninsular Malaysia identified as having medicinal value.
“We also excel in Halal Leadership, supported by a globally recognised certification system, opening up vast opportunities in the rapidly growing Muslim healthcare market.
“In addition, our country is supported by a strong scientific ecosystem through the Malaysian Herbal Monograph, expertise from leading agencies such as IMR and FRIM, biotechnology centres and local universities, as well as improvements in the quality and standardisation of herbal products,” he said.
Dzulkefly stressed that developing the herbal industry requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach, involving collaboration among ministries, agencies, higher education institutions, industry players and all relevant stakeholders.
“This effort calls for close cooperation among various parties including SME Corp, MRANTI, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, the Ministry of Health, higher learning institutions, industry players and all relevant stakeholders,” he said.
He added that Malaysia aims not only to be seen as a producer of traditional herbal products, but as a leading BioHerbal Innovation Hub in Asia that integrates biodiversity excellence, biotechnology advancement, precision medicine and halal excellence under one roof.
-- BERNAMA