Malaysian Ambassador to Korea Mohd Zamruni Khalid speaks of the growing bilateral relations during an interview with The Korea Times at the Malaysian Embassy in Seoul, July 17. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk Korea-Malaysia FTA benefits both nations: Malaysian ambassador By Kim Hyun-bin Mohd Zamruni Khalid, the Malaysian representative to Korea, highlighted the growing economic relationship between Korea and Malaysia, particularly emphasizing the opportunities for Korean companies in the halal industry. "One major area of collaboration is the halal industry," Khalid said during an interview with The Korea Times at the Malaysian Embassy in Seoul, July 17.
"This may be new for Korean companies, but Malaysia is a leader and frontrunner in this sector. Many people in Muslim countries consume halal products. If South Korean companies want to expand into these markets, they can go through Malaysia.
We have developed expertise and a whole ecosystem to support the halal industries, including food and beverages, Islamic finance, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, fashion and logistics," he said. Khalid noted that some Korean companies have already obtained halal certification from the Malaysian Department of Islamic Development, known as JAKIM. "JAKIM's halal certification is known worldwide, making it easier for South Korean companies to export to Muslim markets," he said.
The ambassador also touched on other sectors ripe for collaboration, including the chemical industry, electronics and.