By Atira Khalisha Nor Adnan
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- The matching grant of up to RM5,000 for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) seeking halal certification for the first time could help expand market access for local products and encourage more businesses to venture into the halal industry.
Small and Medium Enterprise Association of Malaysia national president Dr Chin Chee Seong said the assistance, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when presenting the 2027 Budget, could ease the financial burden on micro and small enterprises, particularly those unable to afford certification costs on their own.
“The RM5,000 grant may appear modest, but it can offer meaningful assistance to micro-enterprises. What matters is how many MSMEs manage to obtain halal certification and boost their sales through this assistance,” he told Bernama.
Chin said halal certification went beyond religious recognition, serving as a competitive advantage that could strengthen consumer confidence in a company's products and production processes.
For MSMEs seeking to expand their businesses, he said halal certification could be a prerequisite for gaining access to supermarket chains, major retail networks and the food and beverage sector, while also opening up opportunities in overseas markets.
Halal certification can help MSMEs gain access to supermarkets, major retailers, the food and beverage sector and overseas markets. Malaysia's established halal ecosystem offers businesses opportunities to grow and expand,” he said.
However, Chin stressed that halal certification was only one step towards export success, as entrepreneurs also needed to meet their target markets' requirements for product safety, packaging, labelling, production capacity and recognition of the certification.
He said the government should therefore integrate halal certification programmes with export development initiatives through the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), Halal Development Corporation Bhd (HDC) and other relevant agencies.
Such coordination would help entrepreneurs move beyond certification to securing buyers, accessing distribution networks and entering export markets, ultimately boosting sales, he added.
Echoing these views, Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia (DPMM) president [FULL NAME] said government assistance could help entrepreneurs leverage halal certification to gain access to wider international markets.
“We welcome the Prime Minister's announcement, as the halal sector offers immense market potential. Halal certification issued by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) is also widely recognised internationally,” he said.
--BERNAMA