MITI forum wants Malaysia to remain competitive in Halal industry in 2050

Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) Deputy Minister, Datuk Chua Tee Yong said this aspiration was highlighted by most participants at the National Transformation 2050 (TN50) dialogue organised by the ministry for the first time in Johor today.

"Even though there's competition in the halal industry from Indonesia and Thailand, the industry, students and ministry's customers want Malaysia to continue to be competitive in this industry," he told the media here, today.

Also present was State Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism Committee Chairman, Datuk Tee Siew Kiong.

Chua said Malaysia had the advantages as a halal hub as it had a complete ecosystem in various aspects including investment and finance.

Besides the halal industry, Chua who is also Labis Member of Parliament said most of the participants at the dialogue also hoped Malaysia would continue to become a tourist destination in 2050.

He said some participants contributed various input, including wanting a unique tourist attraction such as Taman Negara Endau-Rompin.

"There's an aspiration for the country to become a tourist location especially for the 50-year old and above group in 2050," he said.

Chua said the government's initiative to hold the dialogue and forum to get input for Malaysia's long-term plan was the right platform whereby the TN50 was not solely formulated based on the government's input but also from the people.

Towards that end, he hoped the input draft for the TN50 implementation would be presented by his ministry to the Cabinet and the Economic Planning Unit in October or November this year for further action.