KUALA LUMPUR: Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Huawei
Malaysia) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently with the Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC) and Duriemas Sdn Bhd to use cloud-based digital solutions, developed using Huawei Cloud technology, to promote and strengthen the Halal industry ecosystem through HDC’s Halal Integrated Platform (HIP).
According to Huawei, the collaboration presents a new opportunity for all three parties to harness the potential of their individual expertise, especially in the area of technical assistance, to strengthen the food track and trace solutions as well as the food and quality assurance system through implementing start-of-the art cloud technology. The MoU is also aimed at exploring new opportunities for Halal industry players
The HIP will be the one-stop online platform to connect industry players to the global Halal market.
Huawei said the platform will be the catalyst for more business transactions within the Halal ecosystem, both online and offline, which will promote a vibrant business environment and enhance the traceability of Halal products in the market. It will also include other services provided by HDC such as Halal Parks, the Halal Training Institute, Halal Consultancy and Advisory, and the Halal Knowledge Centre
Through this tripartite partnership, HDC, Duriemas and Huawei Malaysia will also establish two Halal Promotion Centres in the cities of Qingdao and Urumqi in China. The Malaysia-Qingdao Halal Promotion Center (MQHPC) and Malaysia-Urumqi Halal Promotion Centre (MUHPC) will serve as platforms to further empower the halal trade market in China and internationally.
China has always been one of Malaysia’s top importer of halal products, with imports recorded at RM4.6 billion in 2021.
Under the terms of the MoU, HDC as the custodian of the HIP, among others, will administer, market and liaise with government bodies on the Halal Industry Database.
Duriemas, a technology consulting and market development company, will facilitate and coordinate the establishment and operations of the Halal Trade Route in Port Klang, Malaysia, along with the centres in Qingdao and Urumqi. The company will also facilitate HIP engagements between the centres to accelerate further expansion into other countries in Asia through its broad market development channels.
Huawei Malaysia said it will assist in providing the technical infrastructure for this collaboration. The MoU will enable Huawei to leverage its Cloud solutions and integrate it with HDC’s HIP. The tech giant will also provide technical, functional and marketing support for all products in the Halal Food Supply System to stakeholders.
Increase capability of halal industry
The MoU signing ceremony took place in Kuala Lumpur and was signed by HDC CEO Hairol Ariffein Sahari, Duriemas Sdn Bhd executive chairman, Winston Chia and Huawei Malaysia’s vice president of Cloud & AI Business Group, Lim Chee Siong.
“This partnership is an integral part of HDC’s initiatives to increase the capability and capacity of the halal industry using the Cloud based solutions of Huawei and Duriemas. China has always been a target market for us, and we also believe it is the ‘right’ market for the Halal industry, where currently 60 per cent of halal exports are to China. This initiative will pilot the ‘Track and Trace system’ using block chain for Malaysian Halal Products and open up more opportunities for HIP members to expand their market access to China,” said Hairol.
Meanwhile, Chia is optimistic that this collaboration and the setting up of the Halal Promotion Centers in Qingdao and Urumqi will be the start of successful ventures into the Northern and Western China Halal Market where the majority of the China Muslim community are located.
“This route will also open the Central Asia market as Urumqi is the gateway to Central Asia where 450 Million Muslims are located. I believe that this supply route will benefit HDC’s HIP members and also the Muslim Community in Northern and Western China. I am proud and honoured that the Duriemas Group is playing a part in this collaboration with HDC and Huawei that will shape the future of Food Security Tracing and Halal Products from Malaysia to Western China and Central Asia,” said Chia.
Lim said the MoU allows for Huawei’s world-class and cutting-edge technology to be used in the Halal supply chain and allows for the company to diversify its operations into new markets.
“As a technology partner, Huawei Malaysia has the skills, expertise and experience needed to fulfil this initiative’s ambitions by driving digital innovation through the utilisation of Huawei’s solutions in the HIP system,” said Lim.
“With HDC, we are fortunate to have the premier Halal industry expertise of Malaysia which we believe will assist in expanding the Halal market internationally and drive positive changes in the Halal industry in China. This collaboration will be a key driver in providing a competitive
advantage and opportunities for local companies which is why we are also encouraging other local companies to join this initiative to accelerate the local digital economy. By accelerating the digital transformation of the Halal sector, we will further solidify Malaysia’s standing as the Asean Digital Hub and also as a leading Asean Halal Hub,” he said.
Huawei’s Cloud service is an open, easy-to-use, flexible, and efficient technology that focuses on a platform built using Cloud technology to help ecosystem partners quickly and efficiently build solutions and applications.