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| Source: MIHAS website |
Datuk Dr. Wong Lai Sum, CEO of Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), is confident that it is business as usual for MIHAS this year.
“For the past 10 years, MIHAS has built a strong brand name both locally and internationally as the premiere sourcing centre for halal products and services. With strong support from the government, private sectors, SMEs and foreign governments, MIHAS will continue to stay ahead in the halal industry. The presence of Chinese business delegates from China Islamic Association, Guangdong Chamber of Commerce, National Congress of Women in China, and various other organisations at MIHAS reflect that the halal industry will continue to remain resilient in the future.”
Niqman Rafaee, the Malaysian Trade Commissioner based in Bangkok, said that Thailand had put in its largest representation so far: “The Thai pavilion with a total of 36 booths and more than 50 reps will be led by Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC), National Food Institute (NFI) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) with cooperation of Central of Islamic Council of Thailand (CICOT), Halal Standard Of Thailand and also Halal Science Center Of Chulalongkorn University. Other (participants) in the pavilion include Royal Thai Embassy KL, Rajamangala University of Technology, The Office of SME promotion and 24 delegates."
Over the years, Malaysia has made a name for itself in the halal industry with successful programmes, events, training, standards and certifications systems that have established the country as a knowledge centre and thought leader in the global halal industry.
In 2013, MIHAS hosted over 500 export-ready companies from 30 countries. 18,223 trade and business visitors from 65 countries attended its showcase of halal products and services, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, healthcare as well as Islamic investment and banking.
MIHAS 2014 is projecting some RM500 million in sales from about RM411 million sales received last year due to a better outlook in the global economy, a higher demand for halal products and services and more booths available this year.
On average, every MIHAS attracts an estimated 500 foreign buyers. With an Incoming Buying Mission (IBM) scheduled for MIHAS 2014, exhibitors can expect to meet international buyers across the world.
MIHAS 2014 is part of World Halal Week, which consists of two major events - Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) and World Halal Conference, organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) respectively under the auspices of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.
Saudi Arabia, Thailand, South Africa, Taiwan, South Korea are among the participating governments which support Malaysia’s efforts to promote the halal sector. Other participating countries are Indonesia, China, South Africa, Iran, Palestine, Italy, Japan, UAE, Belgium, Brunei, Russia, Tunisia, Turkey, Morocco, Australia, Chile, France, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Netherlands and Spain.