Local company seeks to enter halal market
Monday, May 7, 2007
PELITA Group Malay Companies is on the verge of receiving Halal Certification from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which will see them begin the import and export of halal meat under the BIMP-Eaga banner.
Chief Executive Officer of Pelita Group Malay Companies, Hj Awg Osman Hj Awg Omar, in an interview with The Brunei Times said that after the successful inspection of facilities of an abattoir in East Kalimantan on March 7-9, 2007 they have recently received a letter from the Ministry of Religious Affairs informing them that Halal Certification for chicken meat from the slaughter house will be granted upon meeting further prerequisites from the ministry.
Pelita Group Malay Companies has in place a joint venture with PT Avian Asuh Jaya Sejahtera, Pontianak East Kalimantan in Indonesia which would not have been possible would it not be for the relationship between the Brunei and Indonesia under the BIMP-Eaga agreement.
Under the partnership the abattoir in East Kalimantan, Pelita Group of Malay Companies will be responsible for all items pertaining to the slaughter and cleaning of the chicken meat. The joint venture will be able to supplement the supply of halal chicken for Brunei.
The certification will open the avenue for export to the 56-member states of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) and countries with pockets of Muslim population.
Before they can make a foray into the global halal food industry, the conditions prescribed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs need to be met as part of Brunei's stringent halal requirements.
Amongst the number of provisos that need to be fulfilled is the stationing of members of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Pontianak Kalimantan, Indonesia, who will oversee and further scrutinise the processes of slaughter and cleaning of meat.
The inspection committee will also be conducting spot checks to ensure that all syariah conditions relating to the slaughter of meat have been adhered to. Certain procedures which relate to the halal and haram issues of slaughter were also raised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which need to be implemented to maintain the halal certification.
Poultry and methods of slaughter and the equipment for slaughter and cleaning are aspects which need to be addressed.
The facilities and equipment at the site in Kalimantan need to be upgraded prior to final approval from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Should the Pelita Group of companies gain the halal certification they will also need to arrange for the necessary requirements for the import of meat through the Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources.
Despite all this, Hj Awg Osman is confident that the scheduled target of being fully operational by July 2007 will be met. He was firm that all requirements will be in accordance with syariah law, and also stressed the importance that the selection processes for poultry as well as issues of hygiene and cleanliness.
Pelita Group Malay Companies has also sent in applications to obtain further permits in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia to cater to the demand of halal beef, chicken and duck.
Meanwhile, the potential success of the joint venture has larger implications for BIMP-Eaga as it would represent a good case example of the success that can be achieved by BIMP-Eaga.
Brunei has continued its efforts with the halal project remaining a key priority for the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources.
Last year in August, to coincide with the World Halal Expo in the country, a delegation from the Philippines visited the sultanate as part of a familiarisation trip to observe the practices here.
They were briefed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs on issues on halal slaughtering and import of meat, while the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources informed them of the investment potential and incentives in Brunei's Premium Halal Brand and Food safety regulations of import and export.
The Brunei Times
Chief Executive Officer of Pelita Group Malay Companies, Hj Awg Osman Hj Awg Omar, in an interview with The Brunei Times said that after the successful inspection of facilities of an abattoir in East Kalimantan on March 7-9, 2007 they have recently received a letter from the Ministry of Religious Affairs informing them that Halal Certification for chicken meat from the slaughter house will be granted upon meeting further prerequisites from the ministry.
Pelita Group Malay Companies has in place a joint venture with PT Avian Asuh Jaya Sejahtera, Pontianak East Kalimantan in Indonesia which would not have been possible would it not be for the relationship between the Brunei and Indonesia under the BIMP-Eaga agreement.
Under the partnership the abattoir in East Kalimantan, Pelita Group of Malay Companies will be responsible for all items pertaining to the slaughter and cleaning of the chicken meat. The joint venture will be able to supplement the supply of halal chicken for Brunei.
The certification will open the avenue for export to the 56-member states of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) and countries with pockets of Muslim population.
Before they can make a foray into the global halal food industry, the conditions prescribed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs need to be met as part of Brunei's stringent halal requirements.
Amongst the number of provisos that need to be fulfilled is the stationing of members of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Pontianak Kalimantan, Indonesia, who will oversee and further scrutinise the processes of slaughter and cleaning of meat.
The inspection committee will also be conducting spot checks to ensure that all syariah conditions relating to the slaughter of meat have been adhered to. Certain procedures which relate to the halal and haram issues of slaughter were also raised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which need to be implemented to maintain the halal certification.
Poultry and methods of slaughter and the equipment for slaughter and cleaning are aspects which need to be addressed.
The facilities and equipment at the site in Kalimantan need to be upgraded prior to final approval from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Should the Pelita Group of companies gain the halal certification they will also need to arrange for the necessary requirements for the import of meat through the Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources.
Despite all this, Hj Awg Osman is confident that the scheduled target of being fully operational by July 2007 will be met. He was firm that all requirements will be in accordance with syariah law, and also stressed the importance that the selection processes for poultry as well as issues of hygiene and cleanliness.
Pelita Group Malay Companies has also sent in applications to obtain further permits in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia to cater to the demand of halal beef, chicken and duck.
Meanwhile, the potential success of the joint venture has larger implications for BIMP-Eaga as it would represent a good case example of the success that can be achieved by BIMP-Eaga.
Brunei has continued its efforts with the halal project remaining a key priority for the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources.
Last year in August, to coincide with the World Halal Expo in the country, a delegation from the Philippines visited the sultanate as part of a familiarisation trip to observe the practices here.
They were briefed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs on issues on halal slaughtering and import of meat, while the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources informed them of the investment potential and incentives in Brunei's Premium Halal Brand and Food safety regulations of import and export.
The Brunei Times
Business Besides Oil
