(corporate arkib : 23/09/2004 from http://www.utusan.com.my/)
KUANTAN Sept 22 - The former township of MEC in Gambang, near here, is to be developed into a halal product centre in line with a decision made by the state government recently.
Deputy Menteri Besar, Datuk Tan Mohd Aminuddin Ishak, in a recent meeting with Bernama said that the state government had approved the takeover of a 104-hectare piece of land here where 40 hectares of the land had been allocated for the development of the halal centre.
The remaining 64 hectares would be placed under the management of the Pahang State Development Corporation (PKNP) as a reserved area, in case there is an expansion plan in the future.
"Before this, we had identified another location, also in Gambang, for the halal product centre but that place was not as strategic, as it was smaller and also far from the necessary facilities.
"We selected MEC for its high value as well as for its vast area that would easily accommodate any future expansion in the industry," he said.
Tan said this when asked on the latest development on its plans to build a halal production centre in Pahang to be undertaken by a Bumiputera company, Prima Agri-Products Sdn Bhd.
Prima Agri, a fully Bumiputera owned company, was established in 1987, specifically to produce halal meat for the local and international market.
Tan who is also the Chairman of the Committee for Investment, Industrialisation and Felda Affairs, said that opportunities were now open to any parties or individuals wnating to venture into the halal industry as it was a lucrative field.
Asked if the halal products centre would concentrate on halal food products alone, Tan reiterated that the halal sector was a very wide area and was not limited to food production.
"The halal products industry is not just about food alone, it also applies to cosmetics, domestic items and other products," he said.
"Initially however, we would focus on food products as they are the most easy, convenient (to produce) and enjoy high demand from consumers," he said.
Tan said the halal products centre would be also an ideal platform for farmers, fishermen and livestock breeders to up their income level as they could supply their products here for processing and distribution.
"The country is currently taking the efforts to bring back the agriculture sector as one its major sources of income and the opening of this halal products centre is part of that efforts," he said.
He also expressed confidence in Prima Agri as the figure to lead in the development of the halal products, saying that their capability and credibility in the field was recognised both within and outside the country.
He added that the company had proved their worth, having received many awards and accolades including that given by prestigious institutions overseas.
