KUALA LUMPUR — The International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) is optimistic of achieving about RM600 million in immediate and negotiated sales from the World Halal Week to be held in April.
Last year’s World Halal Week recorded immediate and negotiated sales of RM411 million.
Deputy Minister Datuk Hamim Samuri said the higher sales would be driven by growing awareness for halal products globally and an increase in the number of participating countries.
“Companies from Saudi Arabia and South Africa will be participating this year and we have received confirmation from 17 exhibiting countries,” he told reporters today after the soft launch of the World Halal Week 2014.
Themed, “Energising Halal Business Growth”, the World Halal Week 2014, a joint effort by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) and the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) will be held from April 9 to April 12.
Hamim said 620 booths would be provided for exhibitors, an additional 102 booths over last year. To date, 355 companies have confirmed their participation.
“About 20,000 trade visitors are expected to patronise the exhibition against 18,000 trade visitors recorded last year,” he added.
The deputy minister also said one-to-one business meetings have been pre-arranged for more than 500 pre-selected foreign buyers with local manufacturers of halal products and services.
The World Halal Week 2014 will consist of two events, the 11th Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas) organised by Matrade and the World Halal Conference (WHC) organised by HDC.
Since 2005, the Mihas’ Incoming Buying Mission generated more than RM7 billion in sales.
Meanwhile, HDC Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin said WHC’s focus this year would be on issues surrounding global halal food security.
He said with more than 1.8 billion Muslims around the world, representing 25 per cent of the global population, the supply side of halal production was insufficient to meet world demand.
“The current halal food supply is only sufficient to support 20 per cent of the global demand,” he said, adding that many Muslims in Europe, America, Eastern Europe, China and India do not have access to halal food.
“This means (there are) big opportunities for the halal industry (to tap),” he said.
As of September 2013, exports of halal products from Malaysia totalled RM24 billion from RM23.7 billion recorded in the same period in 2012.
