Global retail chain Lulu Hypermarket has committed to purchasing and marketing halal products from Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) entrepreneurs worth US$100 million (about RM470 million) for the international market starting July 1.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the commitment was conveyed by Lulu Group owner Yusuff Ali during a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last week.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahid said he has directed Mara’s management to coordinate products from its entrepreneurs to meet global demand, particularly in the Middle East through Lulu’s retail network.
He said Yusuff Ali agreed to begin marketing the products from July 1 this year.
Zahid also said he is targeting more than RM1 billion in international halal sales from Mara entrepreneurs next year, as the group has already recorded potential sales of RM819 million this year.
He added that at least 300 more entrepreneurs are expected to obtain halal certification this year.
The initiative was announced during the launch of the Mara Halal Ecosystem, which aims to strengthen training, certification, financing and infrastructure to help Bumiputera entrepreneurs expand globally.
Zahid also set a target to produce more halal executives and auditors within Mara to support industry growth.
Separately, Mara signed a memorandum of understanding with Maybank Islamic to enhance entrepreneur development, financing access and market expansion, and exchanged a letter of intent with Jakim to strengthen halal training and certification.
