Gunshy Enquirer

KUALA LUMPUR, 4th April 2016 – Malaysia’s leading hub for publishers, authors and readers; Perbadanan Kota Buku in collaboration with Kumpulan Media Karangkraf and the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) are set to organise the world’s first publishing to media pitching competition titled, Page to Pitch (P2P) Media 360.

The competition which will be held in conjunction with the 9th edition of Kuala Lumpur Trade & Copyright Centre (KLTCC) in concurrent with the annual Kuala Lumpur International Book Fairs, aims to open up opportunities and provides a platform for budding writers to publish their ideas and develop established writers’ intellectual property (IP) into diverse digital media content. The competition is divided into two categories, with the theme of 'Adapting Books and Ideas into Digital Media.'

The first category, Idea to Publishing promises aspiring writers an opportunity to publish their ideas into a publication with Karangkraf worth upto RM50,000 in value, apart from RM5,000 grand prize from Kota Buku and an international marketing opportunity once their ideais published. The second category, Book to Development targets established writers to turn their publication into diverse digital media contents such as feature film, TV series, animation, digital comics, games, apps and more. The winner of this category will receive a green lane for their application in the FINAS development grant worth up to RM500,000 in value, apart from RM5,000 grand prize from Kota Buku and an international marketing opportunity.

Sayed Munawar Sayed Mustar, CEO of Kota Buku reiterated, "We are aware that there are many undiscovered talented writers out there. Therefore, P2P is the golden opportunity for them to shine and get the recognition for their talent. We hope the competition will encourage not just our nation’s creative writers, but ASEAN writers as well to boost their talent and strive to enrich the publishing industry as a whole."

The competition is open to all ASEAN countries for Category 1, whereas Category 2 is exclusively forMalaysian. Shortlisted entries will be invited to pitch their ideas in front of a panel of local and international industry experts from 7th to 8th May 2016 during KLTCC 2016.

Submission for both categories is open until 22nd April 2016. Applicants can download the entry form at www.facebook.com/page2pitch

Powerful Insights and Discussions on the Halal Industry at 9th Annual World Halal Conference

Kuala Lumpur, 4th April - More than 1000 delegates converged at this year’s 9th annual World Halal Conference. Centred on the theme, ‘Halal at the Forefront of Social and Economic Change’ the conference gave way to empowering insights and sound knowledge of the Halal industry.

The event was graced by YAB Tun Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi, the patron of World Halal Conference who gave the opening remarks during the conference. A main conference was also hosted with a Ministerial Panel chaired by Yang Berhormat Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, the Minister of International Trade & Industry Malaysia, a Global Leaders Panel Session, several concurrent plenary sessions on specific components within the halal eco-system, e-commerce,youth and women’s empowerment and a Business Networking Galleria by collaborating partners of WHC.This year’s conference saw the collaboration of several partners including,Islamic Development Bank, Nestle Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Agro Bank, Ramly, Chemical Company of Malaysia Bhd (CCM), East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC), Kuala Lumpur Malay Chamber of Commerce, Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA), and Sugarscarf.

“We are honoured to see such strong commitment from our industry partners, together with the participation of foreign delegates and renowned speakers who have made this year’s conference a success. We urge for their continuous support; together we can take the Halal Industry to new heights, both internationally and locally,” said Tan Sri Dato' Dr Syed Jalaludin Bin Syed Salim, Chairman of the Halal Industry Development Corporation.

Tan Sri Dato' Dr Syed Jalaludin Bin Syed Salim, Chairman of the Halal Industry Development Corporation

The conference also saw the strategic alliance of HDC and various SME’s in an effort to uplift the local Halal economy. One of which, was a Memorandum of Understanding between HDC and Nestle Malaysia Sdn Bhd that focused on building local productive capacity, enhance social inclusion, and promote environmental sustainability.

Despite the lacklustre prediction of the global economic sphere, the demand forHalal products remain positive. Malaysia stands as the biggest Halal exporter next to China with an increase of 4% in its export value in 2015.

“Indeed the Halal Industry Development Corporation has grown by leaps and bounds since its foundation 10 years ago; it is of utmost importance that we sustain the Halal momentum and drive its growth even further,” adds Jalaludin.