Kuala Lumpur, 14 August 2024, News Release by Norsida Ahmad: The Halal Development Corporation (HDC) and the Malaysian Association of Hotels Training and Education Center (MAHTEC) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), marking a significant collaboration aimed at enhancing Malaysia’s Halal ecosystem by integrating the hotel industry into the nation’s broader Halal development initiatives.
The Memorandum of Agreement was signed by CEO of HDC, Mr. Hairol Ariffein Sahari while MAHTEC Sdn Bhd. was represented by Datin Christina Toh, President of the Malaysian Association
of Hotels (MAH). The signing was witnessed by HDC Chairman, Mr. Khairul Azwan Harun, Chief Commercial Officer and Dato’ Megat Shahrul Azman, Secretary-General, Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH).
The strategic collaboration is to engage industry players within the hospitality sector, promoting their active participation in Malaysia’s growing Halal ecosystem. This initiative aligns with the Halal Industry Master Plan (HIMP) 2030 – to position Muslim-friendly hospitality as a key sector for economic growth and sustainability in Malaysia.
“This marks another significant milestone in the HIMP2030 initiative, reinforcing Malaysia’s leadership in the global halal economy and Muslim-friendly tourism.,” said the Chairman of HDC, Khairul Azwan Harun.
Malaysia takes pride in its reputation as a Muslim-friendly tourism and hospitality ecosystem brand, securing the top spot in the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2023 for the eighth (8th) consecutive time.
Under this partnership, HDC and MAHTEC will jointly offer a comprehensive Halal Industry Training Programme designed to equip hospitality professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the Halal sector. The training programme will consist of three key components: Halal Awareness Training Programme (Halal Industry Fundamentals & Malaysia Halal Certification), Halal Competency Training Programme and Certified Halal Executive Programme (CHEP).
This collaboration is expected to yield several key outcomes, including the establishment of a sufficient pool of Halal talent to meet the rising demand within Malaysia’s hospitality sector. The initiative will also focus on upskilling and reskilling local talent, preparing Malaysia to become a global leader in Halal talent development and Muslim-friendly hospitality.
Through these training programs, HDC and MAHTEC aim to create greater awareness and visibility for Halal industry opportunities, tapping into new and existing target groups within the hospitality industry. This effort aligns with the Government’s aspirations for “Tahun Melawat Malaysia 2025,” further contributing to Malaysia’s GDP and positioning the country as a premier destination for Muslim-friendly hospitality.
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[Halal Development Corporation (HDC) spearheads the development of Malaysia’s integrated and comprehensive halal ecosystem and infrastructure to position Malaysia as the most competitive country leading the global halal industry.
Established on 18 September 2006, HDC as it is also known, is the central coordinator that promotes participation and facilitates growth of industry players in the development of Malaysia’s Halal ecosystem. An agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI); it is the world’s first Government-backed halal industry development corporation. For more information, please visit HDC at – www.hdcglobal.com.]
