by AZALEA AZUAR
THE 19th edition of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS 2023) aims to reach a sales target of RM2.1 billion this time around.
Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) CEO Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, said they are confident of their projection after China has resumed international travelling.
“We are very optimistic that we will be able to achieve the target that more companies from China will be exhibiting.
“In fact, China is coming in with 111 booths,” he said in a press conference after the soft launch of MIHAS 2023 today.
Mohd Mustafa said in the last year’s edition, MIHAS managed to surpass their target of RM1.9 billion by achieving RM2.39 billion in sales.
MIHAS 2023 is set to return in hybrid format once again from Sept 12 to 15 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC).
The annual Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and Matrade event hopes to become the primary gateway to the booming halal trade industry after the pandemic.
Matrade chairperson Datuk Hazimah Zainuddin expects to welcome more than 35,000 local and international visitors, and 1,500 booths, targeting 40 country pavilions, as well as 10 premium booths.
Last year’s edition only featured exhibitors from 33 countries represented through 1,200 booths.
“We hope that MIHAS continues to serve as a forum for discussion and exploration of business relationships that will drive consumers’ confidence for halal products and services,” she said.
Meanwhile, International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said MIHAS 2023 would showcase that Malaysia leads in the halal industry due to its advanced ecosystem.
In conjunction with this year’s theme of “Paving the way of halal” he is confident that Malaysia could do well and feature in the 13 clusters of different halal segments — from products, services and food.
“Malaysia’s halal exports jumped 63.8% to RM59.46 billion in 2022, a growth trend that Malaysia looks set to capitalise on with its recently launched Halal Industry Master Plan 2030, and key business-to-business (B2B) platforms like MIHAS 2023.
“These will further cement Malaysia’s position as the leading halal economy, which has been ranked top in the world for the ninth consecutive year,” he said.
In conjunction with MIHAS 2023, Matrade will also be organising the International Sourcing Programme (INSP) — a special program to connect Malaysian exporters with foreign buyers.
Last year’s INSP managed to generate total sales worth RM745.2 million.
Since its inception in 2004, MIHAS has become an event for local and foreign businesses to thrive in the halal trade and to contribute significantly to the global halal economy.
Matrade is confident that the Halal Industry Master Plan 2030 will boost Malaysia’s exports as different parties have been supporting this industry.