Pakistan and Malaysia to co-operate in Halal food sector: accord inked

Punjab Agriculture and Meat Company (Pamco) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Penang International Halal Hub (Malaysia), here on Saturday, for mutual co-operation in Halal food products. The document was signed during the visit of Malaysian State Minister and Chairman Penang International Halal Hub, Haji Abdul Malik Kassim to the University of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences (UVAS).
Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Malik Ahmad Ali Aulakh accompanied the guest during his visit. Under this MoU, Malaysian government will support Pamco in getting Halal food certification, preparation of standards, value addition of products and training of staff for establishment of modern slaughterhouses and functioning of meat processing plants.
According to a spokesman of the provincial agriculture department, the honourable guest visited Punjab in collaboration with Pamco regarding Halal Food Certification, value addition and export of meat to strengthen the economy of Pakistan. He was also interested in gelatin and bone mash from Halal sources.
Expressing his views, Malik Ahmad Ali Aulakh, Minister for Livestock & Agriculture stated that Punjab is naturally blessed with the wealth of livestock like Nili Ravi Buffalo, Sahiwal Cow, various breeds of sheep and goats and there is huge potential of Halal Animal Food. He also said that Punjab Government welcomes Malaysian Government for friendly collaboration for promotion of Halal Food and appreciates the role being played by Haji Abdul Malik Kassim in this regard.
Haji Abdul Malik Kassim urged UVAS to play its leading role to introduce Halal industry in Pakistan by adopting international standards through research developments and commercialisation of new technology. He said that Pakistan could generate revenue through Halal industry, which would significantly contribute towards the country's economic development.