TAIWAN aspires to have more of its halal certification bodies gain recognition from the Islamic Development Department Malaysia (Jakim) to cater for the ever-expanding halal certification demand.

David Hsu, director of the economic division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia, said the organisations needed more guidance from Malaysia on the halal industry criteria as guidelines for product operators who planned to venture into the market.

He said so far, only one Taiwanese halal certification body had acquired the status within five years of halal industry development in the country.

“Currently, five certification bodies are ascertaining the halal status of food products, restaurants and logistics in Taiwan, but they are still insufficient.

“Therefore, we are striving towards the recognition and we appreciate Jakim for not turning down our yearly invitation to send experts on the halal industry to Taiwan to share the latest knowledge and guidance on the development of the segment,” he said.

Hsu said in an effort to intensify the halal market promotion, Taiwan still needed Malaysia’s support through the Halal Industry Development Corporation to raise awareness among industry players on issues covering various aspects of the halal business.

“We have started educating the public on what halal means, not just in terms of marketing, but more importantly, its related issues.

“We only started preparing the groundwork to enter the halal market five years ago, hence, we do not have enough experience. That is why not many Taiwanese products are certified halal.

“However, we will continue to pursue the halal standard, and I think our standards are now higher than that of our neighbours, like South Korea and Japan,” he said at the Taiwan Beauty Pop-Up Shop in Kuala Lumpur today.

Hsu said Taiwan’s beauty and health industry was moving towards production that meets halal standards, in tandem with rising demand for exports of halal products to Islamic countries.

“The halal market is the most important one at the moment, not only in Malaysia, but also globally. With the sheer size of the Muslim population, we cannot afford to ignore it.

“That’s why some Taiwanese beauty products have been accorded halal certification. Now, we are trying to encourage as many Taiwanese beauty product manufacturers as we can to consider the halal standard requirements.” 

Organised by Taiwan External Trade Development Council, the event features 13 brands promoting their products to consumers at the Mytown Mall, Cheras from April 19-21 as part of the Taiwan Beauty Product Promotion Plan 2019 under the New Southbound Policy. – Bernama, April 19, 2019.