RM33 Mln PERDA Halal Park Phase Two To Strenghten Development Of M'sia Halal Industry
TASEK GELUGOR, April 7 (Bernama) -- Penang continues to strengthen the development of the halal industry in Malaysia through the PERDA Halal Park Phase 2 industrial development project, worth RM33 million, in North Seberang Perai (SPU).
Penang Regional Development Authority (PERDA) chairman Datuk Dr Shaik Hussein Mydin said that the development on a 4.4-hectare (ha) land in part of Lot 21328 Mukim 12, Kubang Menerong here, is a continuation of Phase 1, completed in 2015.
He said the project is not just an ordinary development, but rather an industrial hub that will meet recognised halal quality and integrity standards, thus reflecting on PERDA's commitment to developing competitive halal infrastructure in the state.
“The Phase 2 project has received Planning Permission approval on Feb 26, and we are targeting construction work to officially start in July.
"The construction work is expected to take 24 months, and we will be able to see it fully completed by July 2028," he said at the ground-breaking ceremony for the PERDA Halal Park Phase 2 Industrial Development here today.
The launching ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also the Minister of Rural Development and Regional (KKDW). Also present were Deputy KKDW Minister Deputy Datuk Rubiah Wang, Penang Deputy Chief Minister I and Penang Halal Industry Development Council chairman Datuk Dr. Mohamad Abdul Hamid and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.
Elaborating further, Shaik Hussein said that the development of PERDA Halal Park Phase 2 was designed as a complete business ecosystem to support the growth of the local halal industry.
He said that among the main components of the project are the construction of 22 single-storey terrace industrial units that will be the backbone of halal product production for entrepreneurs, in addition to the provision of supporting facilities, including administrative offices, a surau, a multipurpose hall, toilets, a food complex with five stall units and a waste collection centre.
In the meanwhile, he said an area of 120 acres (52.2 ha) has been allocated for the development of the halal industry, which has also received the Halal Malaysia (HALMAS) recognition from the Halal Development Corporation (HDC) since 2011, and the area is a strategic asset that has been comprehensively developed as a result of long-term planning over the past two decades.
"Until now, 40 acres or 33 per cent of the master plan has been developed in phases. We have witnessed the successful development of Phase 1 involving earthworks in 2005, followed by Phase 1A (2007), 1B (2009), 1C (2011), and 1D in 2015," he said.
Shaik Hussein said the development has also seen the PERDA Food Park and Midtown now operating in an area of 40 acres, housing 27 small and medium-sized industrial factory units of various sizes, and 20 industrial lots for sale, with a total cost exceeding RM28 million.
He added that the project still has approximately 70 acres of development areas ready for advancement, thus opening up opportunities for the expansion of the halal industry in the future.
-- BERNAMA
