Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

Dr. TanDY

M'sians explore cattle rearing in west China

18 July, 2006

Source: Bernama

Kuala Lumpur: In line with Malaysia's aspiration to become a halal hub and acknowledging China's vast business opportunities, Malaysian entrepreneurs have begun to explore the lesser known western region in China for cattle farms.

They hope to tie up with parties there to slaughter cattles in accordance with Islamic rites and re-export the halal beef to Malaysia and other places.

National SMI Consultative Centre (Nasmic) chief executive officer Leow Yit Kan said the entire process of slaughtering would be in accordance with Islamic rites.

"Malaysia is better at that (the entire process) because we have the certification issued by Jakim (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) which is recognised. China still don't have such certification," he told Bernama in an interview recently.

Jakim's certification for halal products has been accepted by the United Nations.

Leow said Malaysia could also help in terms of marketing as the country has an advantage in this aspect.

"We have been in the market longer. If we want to sell in Asean countries and to the U.S. and Europe, we have the network," he said.

During a trade mission to China and Hong Kong in May, International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz, who led a 80-member delegation, had told participants of a seminar that investing in Malaysia would enable them to also penetrate Asean market.

Rafidah said this is because of Malaysia's strategic location in Asean, which made the country a gateway to the growing Asean market with a population of about 550 milion people and a combined gross domestic product of nearly US$800 billion.

Leow said that the Chinese government was also encouraging investors to penetrate north-eastern and western China to redress the imbalance between the coastal areas and the interior parts.

And with this in mind, Nasmic is organising the Malaysia-China Economic Conference 2006 themed "Synergising Towards Greater East Asia Prosperity" with focus on north-eastern and western China.

The seminar will be held at the Sunway Lagoon Resort from Aug 22-23 and is expected to attract 2,500 participants.

It aims to alert Malaysian business community to new business opportunities in north-eastern and western China and to enhance bilateral trade and business relationship between Malaysia and China.

It is also to strengthen the synergy and partnership for entrepreneurs, especially the small and medium industries and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Nasmic is also working with the China Centre for Business Cooperation and Coordination (CCBCC) to ensure a good turnout.

The conference is organised by Nasmic and seven other organisations including the Malay, Chinese and Indian chambers of commerce and Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce.- Bernama