Halal enterprise ecosystem helps SMEs tap into opportunities via business advisory, business matching services, and shariah-compliant financing.

Putrajaya, 7 January 2020 - Alliance Islamic Bank Berhad (“Alliance Islamic Bank”), a subsidiary of Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad, today launched its Halal in One Programme, a Halal enterprise ecosystem that aims to help small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) capitalise on opportunities in the said-segment.

The Programme offers business owners venturing into the Halal space end-to-end solutions including business advisory, business matching services, and shariah-compliant financing.

In conjunction with the launch of Halal in One Programme, Alliance Islamic Bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) with its strategic partner, HQC Commerce Sdn Bhd. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Dato’ Dr. Sirajuddin bin Suhaimee, Director, Malaysia Halal Council Secretariat JAKIM, who also officiated the launch.

“Malaysia is one of the leading players in the Halal industry due to a robust Halal economic ecosystem, and a continuous focus in developing global Islamic finance. SMEs in Malaysia have the advantage to tap into the global Halal segment, which is expected to grow to US$3.0 trillion in 2023. Yet, as recently as 2018, 90% of Malaysian SMEs are not Halal-certified,” said Alliance Islamic Bank’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Rizal IL-Ehzan Fadil Azim.

“Our Halal in One Programme offers business advisory by Halal consultants to help SMEs obtain Halal certification from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM). The SMEs can also attend complimentary Halal awareness training programmes that we offer. We will complement the advisory service with Halal banking solutions including special financing, payroll solutions, enterprise Takaful, and business matching opportunities for Halal-centric businesses.”

With Halal in One, the Bank plans on building an ecosystem comprising strategic partners with various Halal-centric expertise to help business owners expand their business in this sector with ease.

HQC Commerce Sdn Bhd’s Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Hj. Khairul Shahril bin Hj. Hamzah, said, “The global appetite for Halal products is growing rapidly. Malaysia’s Halal certification, which is governed by JAKIM, is well recognised and respected worldwide. This puts businesses in Malaysia at an advantage. Through this partnership with Alliance Islamic Bank, we hope to reach out to more business owners and SMEs to grow economically by tapping into the Halal market.”

“Our Halal in One Programme is an inclusive ecosystem that integrates all the elements a business needs to grow in the Halal segment: business advisory and matching, halal certification, and funding. We believe that our efforts will go a long way in supporting the government’s efforts to establish Malaysia to be a leading provider of Halal support services, and centre of excellence in Islamic finance,” said Mr. Rizal IL-Ehzan.

For more information about Alliance Islamic Bank’s Halal In One Programme, please visit: https://www.alliancebank.com.my/Alliance-Islamic-Bank-Berhad/Home.

At the launch of Halal in One Programme, Mr. Rizal IL-Ehzan Fadil Azim (left), Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Islamic Bank, signed the Memorandum of Understanding with Dato’ Hj. Khairul Shahril bin Hj. Hamzah (right), Chief Executive Officer of HQC Commerce Sdn Bhd, its first strategic partner. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Dato’ Dr. Sirajuddin bin Suhaimee (middle), Director of Malaysia Halal Council Secretariat JAKIM.

About Alliance Islamic Bank Berhad

Alliance Islamic Bank Berhad (AIS) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad (Alliance Bank), and offers a wide complement of Shariah-compliant products and services for consumers and businesses.

AIS is an ardent promoter and supporter of initiatives that create positive impact on business, the community, and the environment.

About HQC Commerce Sdn Bhd

Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad and its subsidiaries, Alliance Investment Bank Berhad and Alliance Islamic Bank Berhad, is a dynamic, integrated financial services group offering banking and financial solutions through its consumer banking, SME banking, corporate and commercial banking, Islamic banking, investment banking and stockbroking businesses. The Bank provides easy access to its broad base of customers throughout the country via multi-pronged delivery channels which include retail branches, Privilege Banking Centres, Business Centres, and Investment Bank branches located nationwide, as well as mobile and Internet banking.

HQC Commerce is one of the Strategic Partners for Malaysia International Halal Academy (MIHA), JAKIM that provides coaching and advisory, training and capacity development programmes.

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