Malaysia’s Halal Certification a Seal of Quality Among Islamic Countries – Brazil Ambassador

Malaysia’s reputation for rigorous halal certification is attracting interest from unexpected corners of the globe. According to Brazil Ambassador to Malaysia, Ary Norton De Murat Quintella, Brazilian exporters see Malaysian certification as a valuable “seal of quality” for accessing vast Muslim markets.

Brazil Ambassador Says, Standards Attract Brazilian Exporters

In a recent interview with Bernama TV, Ambassador Quintella highlighted the stringent nature of Malaysia’s halal certification process. He noted that these standards are more demanding than those found in many Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including powerhouses like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

“For Brazilian exporters,” Quintella explained, “achieving halal certification from Malaysia opens doors to other Muslim-majority countries. This seal of quality is highly valued, and Brazilian companies are actively seeking to export to Malaysia.”

A Diversifying Halal Landscape

While Brazil traditionally focuses on halal animal protein exports, Quintella acknowledged Malaysia’s broader halal industry. He noted his surprise at the 2022 Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) where he witnessed a diverse range of halal products beyond just meat.

This observation aligns with the projected growth of the global halal market, expected to reach a staggering $3 trillion by 2025. The Malaysian halal certification system, managed by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), is ideally positioned to capitalize on this growth.

Expanding Reach in the Halal Market

Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the potential for Malaysia and Brazil to collaborate. “By combining Malaysia’s robust certification system with Brazil’s established halal meat export expertise,” he said, “we can expand our reach and research capabilities in the global halal market.”

A Flourishing Bilateral Relationship

The halal sector is just one facet of a thriving relationship between Malaysia and Brazil. Bilateral trade continues to climb, reaching RM17.46 billion in 2023. Notably, Malaysian companies like Petronas, Sapura, and Yinson Holdings Bhd. are major investors in Brazil’s energy sector, particularly oil and gas and renewables.

Ambassador Quintella highlighted this mutual investment, stating, “Malaysia is now one of Brazil’s main energy providers, while the biggest Latin American investment in Malaysia comes from a Brazilian firm.” With a strong foundation in halal collaboration and a robust trade relationship, the future looks bright for Malaysia and Brazil’s economic partnership.

A Strategic Alliance

This news underscores the strategic importance of Malaysia’s halal certification system. As Muslim populations continue to grow globally, demand for halal-certified products will surge. By attracting exporters like Brazil, Malaysia is positioning itself as a gateway to this vast and lucrative market.

This strategic alliance between Malaysia and Brazil offers exciting possibilities. By combining their strengths in halal certification, animal protein production, and diverse halal products, both nations, with the support of the Brazil Ambassador, stand to become major players in the global halal industry.