Microsoft to power halal industry ICT system

Halal Industry Development Corp Sdn Bhd (HDC) and Microsoft (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop an ICT (information and communications technology) system for the halal industry.

The system, to be called the Malaysian International Halal Hub Open XML System, will be based on the Open XML document standard, according to Microsoft Malaysia general manager Yasmin Mahmood.

It is expected to have three components, a halal product exchange centre for the global halal trade; a halal research knowledge centre to serve as a repository of information on the market for halal foods, products and services; and a centralised web-based system for remote halal certification. The remote halal certification component would also include an e-learning portal to serve as an educational and training resource for the system's users.

HDC and Microsoft will start with a pilot project in Malaysia, according to officials of both companies.

As the concept is proven successful here, it will be expanded abroad, particularly to member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC).

No budget or schedule has been decided for the project as yet, Yasmin said. A project team of officials from Microsoft and HDC are defining the scope of the project and method of implementation before deciding on these matters, she said.

However, Yasmin said, Microsoft is keen to get the Halal Hub project going as soon as is practical.

"We'll be able to announce a timeframe for the project in about two months," she said.

Yasmin said the project is part of her plan of making Microsoft relevant to Malaysia.

HDC chairman Tan Seri Syed Jalaludin Syed Salim said his company wants to help provide the backbone to help the worldwide halal industry get a bit more organised.

"We went with Microsoft as a partner for this project because it is the largest software company in the world and it has the resources to help make the project a success," he said.

The system will build on the halal certification process used in Malaysia because it is respected by Muslims around the world, said Syed Jalaludin.