Once certification is obtained from Malaysia’s Department of Islamic Development (Jakim), Jabi Rice will begin production in the second half of next year.
“As both companies have agreed on a certain business model regarding the product, they agreed to sign the OEM contract in order to prepare production equipment for the halal salmon skin chips,” said a statement by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The halal salmon skin chips will also be sold in Malaysia and other export markets.
In April, Jabi Rice had proposed a new curry flavour for the salmon skin chips for trial. The original and curry flavours will both be produced and sold.
A non-disclosure agreement had been signed in February by both companies for the trial production.
The production agreement took place at JICA Malaysia office recently and was witnessed by JICA and the Kedah state government.
Collaboration drive
Edoya had been eyeing OEM possibilities overseas as well as the marketing of its products to Muslim markets in Asean from around the time it took part in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2015.
At the event, in collaboration with Kedah and JICA, Edoya showcased its salmon skin chips. It was there that Edoya and Jabi Rice met, and both began mutual production site visits.
Edoya produces processed seafood products, and is known for its dried snacks.
There have been a number of other Japanese and Malaysian food partnerships in recent months.
Major Malaysian retail group Bison partnered with two Japanese firms in joint-ventures to produce bakery and ready-to-eat convenience goods, while Japanese companies have set up Southeast Asian entities with halal-certified factories to produce food for halal markets.
These include Japanese curry maker Nichiin Food Creative Corporation starting a Malaysian company and factory to produce halal Maharaja Curry.
Jakim recently declared it was ready to advise the Japan Olympic Committee regarding halal food at the 2020 Olympics, after a meeting between the Perlis state delegation and the 2020 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games organising committees.