Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Ahmad Maslan believes that the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) will not affect the country’s halal industry.

Ahmad went on to point out that the halal industry is recognised in the trade agreement.

Citing a chapter from the agreement, Ahmad said one clause states the TPPA’s acceptance of certification from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).

“So, in other words, the halal industry is recognised in the TPPA. There’s a clause on the halal industry and the word Jakim is mentioned.

“Jakim’s certification is accepted as the halal endorsement in the TPPA," Ahmad told a press conference in Bangi today.

The people, therefore, should not be worried that the trade agreement will affect the halal industry, he said.

The deputy minister further pointed out how the country has never received such recognition from the other 11 countries in the TPPA.

“Never before has it been recorded in other free trade agreements (FTA) about this matter.

“This is something good for the future of the halal industry when it is associated with the TPPA," said Ahmad.

This, he said, was a “very positive” signal for the halal industry in the future.

In the latest figures from the ministry, the county registered an export value of RM31.1 billion for halal products from January to September 2015.

Malaysia – together with 11 other countries - agreed to the TPPA during negotiations which concluded in Atlanta, the United States.

A special sitting on the TPPA is expected to be held in Parliament on Jan 26.