THE World Halal Excellence Awards 2023, held in Melaka on Oct 29, showcased Malaysia's vibrant halal industry, preparing it to leverage a projected US$5 trillion global halal market by 2030.
The event honoured 30 organisations and individuals for their significant contributions to the halal sector.
Since it was established in 2009, the Halal Development Corporation (HDC) has recognised 250 individuals and entities for advancing halal practices.
This year's awards attracted 200 entries, with nominees undergoing thorough audits by Deloitte Business Advisory Sdn Bhd to ensure compliance with global standards.
The ceremony, co-organised by HDC, the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI), and the Melaka State Government, was part of the World Halal Business Conference (WHBC), which celebrates achievements in the halal industry.
A total of 30 awards were presented by Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusof, alongside MITI Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.
Halal Coordinator for the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), Datin Hakimah Mohd Yusoff, received the Halal Leadership Excellence Award for her pivotal role in shaping the global halal ecosystem and advancing halal governance in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the Melaka State Government was recognised with the Halal State Performance Excellence Award for its efforts to promote halal practices and attract investment to the sector.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh attributed the state's transformation into a halal business hub to the establishment of the Melaka Halal Hub.
Kewpie was awarded the Halal Prominent Brand Excellence Award in the international category for effectively integrating the halal logo into its marketing, while Baba's received the local category award, having maintained Malaysia's halal certification and India's Global Vegetarian Certification since 1976.
In Islamic finance, Alliance Islamic Bank and Standard Chartered Saadiq earned the Islamic Financial Services Excellence Awards in the local and international categories, respectively, for their commitment to integrity and good governance.
The Halal Entrepreneur SME Excellence Award was presented to Gemini Beauty Resources Sdn Bhd, recognising local SME participation. Foodpanda's "Bekal by Foodpanda" won the Halal Logistics Excellence Award.
Meanwhile, Duopharma Biotech Berhad and World Prominence Bhd (Sudee) received the Halal Technology and Innovation Excellence Award in the International and SME categories ,respectively.
Duopharma was acknowledged for its healthcare products, while Sudee was recognised for its food offerings tailored to Muslim consumers.
Klinik Al-Farabi Kuantan Sdn Bhd earned the Muslim-Friendly Healthcare Excellence Award for its commitment to halal-certified products.
Mamee Double Decker Sdn Bhd won the Halal International Business Excellence Award for large companies, while Givaudan Flavours and Fragrances Malaysia Sdn Bhd took the SME category award for innovative processes and advanced R&D.
Ain Medicare Sdn Bhd was awarded the Halal Pharmaceutical Excellence Award in the large company category for expanding into 16 countries, while Novugen Pharma received the SME award as the only Asean company to achieve US FDA approval within a decade of its establishment.
Kopitiam Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd and Woodpeckers Group Sdn Bhd won the Halal Franchise Excellence Awards for the franchisor and franchisee categories, respectively.
New categories introduced this year included the Halal Gourmet Food and Beverages Excellence Award, won by Empire Sushi for large companies and by Oriental Kopi for SMEs.
Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur Chinatown and G Hotel were recognised for their halal-compliant services with the Muslim-Friendly Tourism Excellence Award in the international and SME categories.
The Islamic Content Creation Award went to Australia's Tribune International, known as the 'Voice of Multicultural Australia,' while Malaysia's first Islamic TV station, TV Al-Hijrah, won the local category.
Wardah and Safi received the Halal Cosmetics Excellence Awards in the international and local categories, respectively. Muslim Pro earned the Halal Digital Platform Excellence Award internationally, while ZUS Coffee secured the local award.
The Halal Food Authority (HFA) was honoured with the Halal International Relations Award for its role as a leading certification body, while TH Properties, operator of Techpark @ Enstek, received the Halal Industrial Park Excellence Award.
Individual awards went to Vinnie Ang, CEO of Kanika, who won the Women Entrepreneur Excellence Award, and Tan Kai Young, CEO of Woodpecker Group, who received the Youth Entrepreneur Excellence Award.
In his address, Tengku Zafrul highlighted the government's strategic initiatives to meet the growing demand for halal products and services.
"We will continue to build on our strengths, closely monitoring KPIs outlined in the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 and the Halal Industry Master Plan 2030, to create a sustainable, resilient halal industry for Malaysia, particularly for our SMEs and citizens," he said.