Kuala Lumpur, 30 June 2018 – Dagang NeXchange Berhad ("DNeX"), through wholly-owned subsidiary Global Market eCommerce Sdn Bhd ("GMeC"), has signed an agreement to develop a Halal Hub in the Philippines.

Under the agreement, undertaken in cooperation with the Department of Education Division of Naga City and the Local Government of Naga City of the Philippines, DNeX will be given the opportunity to implement overall initiatives for the Halal Hub including the development of blueprint, systems and framework for the Halal Hub.

These include Halal Trade and Import-Export Ecosystem, Halal Logistics and Supply Chain, Halal Marketplace, Halal Governance, Certification and Compliance, Halal Verification Rapid Test Kit, and Halal Track and Trace.

In addition, DNeX will be providing Halal-related training, and marketing internationally all certified Halal products within the Halal Hub. DNeX will also be involved in the establishment of a Halal Accreditation Centre for the Halal Hub.

At the signing of the agreement, DNeX was represented by Datuk Samsul Husin, Executive Deputy Chairman of DNeX; En Mohamed Hazli Mohamed Hussain, Executive Chairman of GMeC and Dato' Seri Muhamad Khanafi Husin, Director of GMeC. Parties from the Philippines were represented by Hon. John G. Bongat, Mayor City of Naga, and Dr. William E. Gando, CESO VI Schools Division Superintendent, Department of Education, Division of Naga City, Region V. Also present at the event were Mr Alec Francis Santos, Tourism Officer Naga City and Datuk Seri Mohd Rizal Mohd Yusof, Chairman of Euro Jasmine Holding Sdn Bhd.

According to Datuk Samsul Husin, Executive Deputy Chairman of DNeX, this marks a key milestone in the company's venture in the Halal industry.

"Earlier this year, we pledged to work together with our Philippines partners for the development of the Halal Hub. This is followed through with the signing of agreement today, after which we expect efforts in this partnership to intensify," he said.

The opportunity in Halal industry is vast with Muslims accounting for about a quarter of the world's more than 7 billion population, and spread across the world, said Hon. John G. Bongat, Mayor City of Naga.

"Naga City, through this partnership, aspires to tap into this business segment, which is expected to grow as the concept of Halal takes on a stronger foothold. When the Halal ecoSystem within our Halal Hub is operational we also plan to connect with other Halal hubs worldwide," he said.

DNeX currently operates GoHalal eMarketplace for the Halal industry, which is accessible at www.gohalal.com.my. It is taking the Halal industry online where companies or individuals can get suppliers or buyers for their products and services as well as obtain and exchange information on the industry in a few clicks.