KUALA LUMPUR: Pet food will be featured for the first time in this year’s edition of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas), which aims to promote the global halal industry.
The exhibition is part of Malaysia Halal Week 2012, jointly organised by the Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) and KasehDia Sdn Bhd.
Matrade chief executive officer Dr Wong Lai Sum said halal pet food was being introduced at Mihas as there are animals that lived in close quarters with their owners.
“Some pets even sleep with their owners. So, it is important for them to be given halal food,” she said at the Matrade office here yesterday.
Mihas, to be held from April 4 to April 7, will also showcase pharmaceutical products, Islamic finance and tourism packages.
“We hope the event will benefit Malaysian companies, especially the small and medium-sized enterprises,” Dr Wong said.
She said that over 50 countries would be taking part in the Malaysia Halal Week 2012.
Besides Mihas, the event also includes the World Halal Research Summit (WHRS) and the 7th World Halal Forum (WHF) 2012.
“Countries joining the event for the first time include Tunisia, Poland and Belgium.
“We are expecting about RM500mil in sales through the event,” Dr Wong said.
HDC operations division vice president Mohd Raimee Mohd Tamin said some 1,000 participants were expected to share ideas during the two-day WHRS beginning on April 4.
The summit will see scientists, researchers and scholars exchanging ideas on new research findings in the global halal industry.
WHF founding director Jumaatun Azmi said the forum, to be held from April 2 to April 3, would discuss the social media and entertainment based on Islam, among others.
