New Zealand To Enhance Export Of Safe, Reliable Halal Meat To Malaysia

By Danni Haizal Danial Donald and Ahmad Erwan Othman

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- New Zealand has vowed to enhance the export of safe and reliable halal meat products to Malaysia following the exchange of the upgraded halal implementing arrangement (HIA) with Malaysia today.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said New Zealand will also remain a trusted partner for Malaysia by keeping its supply chains open.

“(We will) use very transparent rules and resolve issues very quickly when they arise.

“Streamlined settings, strong communication, and (effective) regulatory oversight are practical examples of how we will build certainty together,” he said in his speech at the Halal Diplomacy Event here today.

Luxon said New Zealand will support this through data-driven logistics, as well as with faster, cleaner clearance for high-trust operators under the recently signed Customs Mutual Recognition Arrangement.

Also present was Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Meanwhile, Luxon said New Zealand will focus on enhancing its halal standards and assurance through the HIA, as the arrangement will provide its halal industry players clearer, more consistent rules in terms of registration, documentation, processing, labelling and storage.

Apart from that, Luxon said, New Zealand is also committed to enhancing the diversification and growth of its halal products via the HIA, and leveraging the Malaysia-New Zealand trade architecture, such as the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) in 2026, to open new markets for businesses in each country.

Following the HIA exchanged today, New Zealand foresees greater resilience and reliability in its halal products, he added.

Earlier today, Luxon and Ahmad Zahid witnessed the exchange of the HIA between Malaysia and New Zealand.

The exchange was undertaken by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) Director-General Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee and New Zealand High Commissioner to Malaysia Mike Walsh.

In September 2024, both countries announced their commitment to increase bilateral trade by 50 per cent by 2030.

-- BERNAMA