French integrated agriculture producer Glon Groupe is investing US$60 million (199.2 million ringgit; MYR) to set up a poultry facility in the East Coast Economic Region (ECER), says French Foreign Trade Minister, Anne-Marie Idrac.

Business Times of Malaysia reports that the first phase of the 80-hectare plant in Kuantan is expected to commence by year-end.

She told a media briefing in Kuala Lumpur: "We (France) are already present in the oil and gas, information technology, aeronautics as well as transportation sectors in Malaysia. We are now keen to diversify into other areas."

She added that 250 French companies have invested some €6 billion (MYR23.82 billion) in assets in Malaysia to date.

"We are keen to work together with Malaysia in producing halal products for a third country," she said.

Ms Idrac said the project is a follow up to a memorandum of understanding signed in Paris last year, in conjunction with Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak's visit.

Also present was Halal Industry Development Board Corp chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin, who said Glon hopes to tie up with three Malaysian companies, as part of a large multi-scale collaboration to provide end-to-end services.

"The local partners would be needed in areas like animal feed, processing, slaughter house and also with a cooperative (to handle the farmers)," he said.

Business Times reports that Glon has an annual turnover of €1.65 billion (MYR6.55 billion) and has 60 years of experience in the food processing industry.

Meanwhile, International Trade and Industry Minister, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, said the different halal certification processes between Malaysia and that of France and other European countries need to be addressed soon.

"Europe's 30 million Muslim population provides a strong potential for the entry of our halal products," he said.

France is seeking Malaysia's help in halal certification to enable more French products to enter the Malaysian market.

"They (France) have their own halal certifications. The issue right now is to match their certification standard to that of the Malaysian government," he told Business Times.