Saudi FDA CEO meets with Malaysian Minister to boost halal industry
In a strategic move to support and expand the halal industry in Malaysia, Saudi Food and Drug Authority CEO Hisham bin Saad Aljadhey held a meeting with Malaysian Minister of Religious Affairs Mohamad Naim bin Mokhtar in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.
The meeting, which was also attended by Malaysian Department of Islamic Development Director General Hakimah Yusuf, focused on unifying halal standards and enhancing coordination in legislative and technical research, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
Both parties emphasized the necessity of establishing a global regulatory and legislative framework for the halal industry, along with collaborating to develop global oversight in this sector. They also discussed mechanisms to ensure the authenticity of halal products for Muslims worldwide and the mutual acceptance of products manufactured in both countries.
Notably, the Kingdom had previously signed a memorandum of understanding with Malaysia on the mutual recognition of halal certificates issued by both nations. This memorandum encompasses cooperation in acknowledging halal certificates issued by the Saudi Halal Center, affiliated with the SFDA, and JAKIM in Malaysia. It also involves conformity-assessment procedures, standards, technical regulations for issuing halal certificates, as well as the exchange of expertise and knowledge in training, research, and laboratory analysis.