THREE ARTICLES

Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the export sales target for Mihas@Dubai is RM1 billion and expressed confidence that Malaysian companies taking part will achieve this target.

“Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) plans to organise Mihas at the international level in other countries such as China and Europe in the future besides in Dubai,” he said, adding that the Investment, Trade, and Industry Ministry (Miti) has been mandated to lead Malaysia’s participation in the Osaka World Expo and the Economic Pillar for Malaysia’s chairmanship of Asean next year.

“These engagements present opportunities for halal industry players to expand their global footprint through business matching programmes that Matrade will coordinate,” Tengku Zafrul said at the opening ceremony of Mihas 2024 today.

He said domestic companies are invited to join through various Asean-related programmes in Malaysia and at the Osaka World Expo, which will take place over six months from April to October 2025, to explore a wide range of international business opportunities, particularly in Japan.

Tengku Zafrul noted that Malaysia’s halal export value in 2023 reached nearly RM55 billion, marking the second consecutive year it has surpassed the RM50 billion threshold.

The food and beverage category was the largest contributor to halal exports, with a value of RM29.37 billion, an increase of 5% from RM27.84 billion recorded in 2022, followed by halal ingredients, cosmetics and personal care, palm oil derivatives, the chemical industry, and pharmaceuticals.

Matrade chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said Mihas@Dubai aims to tap into the Mena market, which boasts a population of over 200 million, while also targeting the vast market in the African region.

“With Mihas having established itself as a strong brand, now is the ideal time to extend its presence beyond Kuala Lumpur.

“Malaysia seeks to become the regional and global halal champion by offering high-quality products and services through the Mihas platform,” he said.

Reezal Merican said Mihas also aims to tap into the broader market in China, where there is a significant demand for halal products.

He said many companies in China have expressed interest in collaborating with Malaysian experts in the halal sector.

“Mihas is also planning to expand its market penetration in Europe. With Matrade recently opening an office in Paris, it aims to tap into the broader European market to boost halal exports,” Reezal Merican said.

To recap, Matrade, in March this year, expanded its trade commissioner office in Paris (Matrade Paris) to enhance and strengthen trade relations between Malaysia, France, Spain, Portugal, and Monaco.

Tengku Zafrul, officiating at the event, highlighted the many opportunities for collaboration and partnerships between France and Malaysia. He emphasised France’s importance as a trade partner and its role as a gateway to the European Union and Francophone North Africa.

Matrade Paris will be vital in fostering collaborations between Malaysia and the markets under its coverage.

Additionally, it extends support to facilitate business connections with French overseas territories such as Reunion, Mayotte, Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Polynesia, and French Guiana.

For Mihas 2024, Matrade is organising its Knowledge Hub programme as part of its thought leadership initiatives.

The Knowledge Hub will serve as an important platform for Malaysian exporters to enrich their industry insights, as well as exchange ideas to better understand and capitalise on the evolving global halal market.

Reezal Merican said the Knowledge Hub will bring together industry experts, policymakers, and business leaders to offer insights on sourcing requirements, opportunities, challenges, and the latest trends reshaping the global halal market.

“The global market for goods and services is projected to reach US$5 trillion (RM23.54 trillion) by 2030. This underscores the potential for Malaysian companies to be part of the global halal supply chains.

“Therefore, during Mihas 2024, we are dedicated to using the Knowledge Hub programme to equip our companies with the necessary knowledge and tools to seize the growing opportunities in the global halal market,” Reezal Merican said.

ARTICLE TWO

Showcase to make Dubai global debut in November

KUALA LUMPUR: The Nov 18 to 20 Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas) will make its international debut at Mihas@Dubai with an export sales target of RM1bil.

Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said Malaysia wants to leverage Dubai’s status as an entrepot city and is the primary hub of the Middle East and North Africa market for the import and distribution of Malaysian-made goods to other countries in the region.

“I am confident that participating Malaysian companies will succeed in achieving the set target,” he said at the 20th Mihas 2024 opening ceremony yesterday, officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Tengku Zafrul said the Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) also plans to organise Mihas in China and Europe in addition to the Investment Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) leading Malaysia to participate in the Osaka World Expo and being the economic pillar as Malaysia assumes Asean chairmanship next year.“Malaysian companies are invited to participate in Asean-related programmes in Malaysia, and also at the Osaka World Expo from April to October 2025 to seek international business opportunities, especially in Japan,” he said.

According to Tengku Zafrul, the National Trade Blueprint led by Matrade supports Malaysia as a global halal hub in line with the 12th Malaysia Plan and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030.

“We want to create an export cluster and attract global companies to source for halal products and services here, including from micro, small and medium enterprises,” he said.

Miti and Matrade also encourage exporters to take advantage of free trade agreements, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership to raise halal exports, he said.

Tengku Zafrul is optimistic that Malaysia will achieve encouraging exports in the halal-related industries after it recorded RM55bil in 2023.

“Despite global economic challenges, Malaysia remains at the top in the halal food sector in the Global Islamic Economic Indicators 2023 (GIEI),” he said, adding that global demand for halal products and services is projected to reach US$5 trillion in 2030.

Malaysian companies will be empowered via the Halal Industry Master Plan (HIMP 2030) to seize opportunities to achieve RM75.2bil in halal exports, or 11% of gross domestic product by 2030. — Bernama

ARTICLE THREE

At today’s launch, MIHAS won the Guinness World Record for having the largest halal trade show attendance.

Since 2004, Mihas has benefited nearly 17,000 Malaysian exporters and foreign buyers, generated RM25 billion in total sales, attracted 500,000 trade visitors and launched Malaysia onto the global stage.

MATRADE and MITI organised the event themed Globalising Halal Innovation. It is managed by Qube Integrated Malaysia Sdn Bhd. – Bernama