KOTA KINABALU: A halal hub will be set up at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) as an initiative to encourage local entrepreneurs to venture into the halal market, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

       The Sabah Chief Minister said the hub on 6ha of land will provide lots, technology facilities as well as the necessary digital platforms for entrepreneurs in the sector.

       "The halal hub will provide guidance to the entrepreneurs on the requirements to obtain halal and MeSTI (Makanan Selamat Tanggungjawab Industri) accreditations. It will also render assistance in the processing and marketing of the products," he said at the state-level Malaysia Halal Roadshow 2021 closing ceremony here on Thursday (Dec 16).

       Hajiji, whose speech was delivered by state Community Development and People's Well-being Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, said that the halal hub was part of the government's development plans under Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ)

       Sabah is among the country's contributors to the halal economy, a new growth sector with huge potential, he said.

       Last year, the halal industry contributed RM9.7bil to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) report projected the market segment contributing 8.1% to the national GDP and generating export revenue of RM56bil in 2025.

       A strong halal economy would also augur well in attracting more arrivals in the Muslim-friendly travel (MFT) sector, an emerging new segment in tourism, to Sabah, he said.

       Hajiji said the halal tourism industry is expected to pick up strongly in view of Sabah's strategic location in the East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) that will also open up many direct investment opportunities and border trade with the anticipated development in neighbouring Kalimantan, Indonesia, he said.