By Rafiq Vayani – Biz Today
KUALA LUMPUR: The world’s largest halal trade fair, Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2019, organised by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), returns for its 16th edition gathering the biggest congregation of halal businesses to date. With over 1,000 booths displayed, MIHAS 2019 brings together buyers and sellers from over 44 countries to Kuala Lumpur.
MIHAS 2019 plays an even bigger role for the growth of halal industry globally by highlighting emerging halal sectors apart from Food & Beverages, such as Islamic Finance, Pharmaceutical, Logistics, Cosmetics, Travel, Modest Fashion and eCommerce. According to MATRADE’s Chairman Tan Sri Dr. Halim Mohammad, this strategic approach will strengthen the awareness on the halal’s potential and its values to the economy to the world community.
“Malaysia boasts a comprehensive ecosystem for the Halal industry development. This includes Halal certification systems, standards and regulations, infrastructures, incentives, human capital and Islamic banking that is supported by effective frameworks from Governmental institutions. This leads to a holistic Halal ecosystem and provides a great opportunity for us to market our local halal brands globally,” he said.
Meanwhile, MATRADE’s Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Wan Latiff Wan Musa mentioned, in responding to the growing acceptance for Halal products and services, MATRADE uses MIHAS as a means to include Malaysian companies into the global supply chain and for the world’s businesses to collaborate with each other. “In enhancing the competitiveness of Malaysian companies in international trade MATRADE will execute its initiatives to improve the companies export readiness, strength in market orientation and industry engagement. MIHAS is a perfect platform for us to address these,” Dato’ Wan Latiff said.
MIHAS 2019 is part of the Global Halal Summit (GHAS) launched today by YB Datuk Seri Dr. Mujahid bin Yusof, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department. The launch of GHAS marked the opening of MIHAS 2019 and was attended by Dato’ Lokman Hakim Ali, Secretary General of Ministry of International Trade & Industry (MITI), Datuk Haji Mohamad Nordin bin Ibrahim, Director General of JAKIM, Tan Sri Dr. Halim Mohammad, Chairman of MATRADE, Datuk Dr. Afi-fi Al-Akiti representing the Palace of Perak and Mr. Hairol Ariffein Sahari, Vice President of the Halal Industry Development Corporation.
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. This year, MIHAS will take place from 3-6 April 2019 at MITEC and will feature an exhibition of halal products and services from over 44 countries, global business matching programmes (International Sourcing Programme, Hosted Buyer Programme and MIHAS Connect), conferences and seminars held in conjunction with MIHAS, product launches and many more.
MIHAS 2019 is open for trade visitors from Wednesday, April 3 to April 5 and open for the public on Saturday, April 6, 2019, from 10 am to 7 pm at Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kompleks MITEC No. 8, Jalan Dutamas 2, Kuala Lumpur.
