Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation

Wednesday, April 6th, 2016, Kuala Lumpur: The 13th Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2016 organised by Malaysia External Trade Development (MATRADE) that concluded at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) on Saturday, reaped RM1.14 billion in sales -- an increase of four per cent from last year’s (RM1.1 billion).

The sales generated included sales from the event’s two main components -- International Sourcing Programme (INSP) held on 29 March 2016 at Menara MATRADE and the exhibition held from 30 March to 2 April 2016 at KLCC.

1) The outcomes of the INSP:

• The food and beverage sector continues to record the highest sales at INSP with RM365.12 million, representing 76.3% of total sales

• The sales for non-food product sector such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics reached RM108.99 million (22.8%)

• Major products sourced were Coffee, Tea and Cocoa, Snacks, Cosmetics, Coconut Products, Confectionery Chocolates and Candies.

• China, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Japan and Korea were the top 5 countries, with the highest sales generated through INSP.

The INSP attracted 581 foreign buyers representing 391 companies from 40 countries who participated in 4,372 meetings with 619 Malaysian exporters. The one-on-one business meetings were arranged by MATRADE.

2) The outcomes of the exhibition:

• The beverages cluster recorded the highest sales at the exhibition with total sales of RM132.24 million, representing 21.5%, followed by Processed & Ready to Eat Products with RM82.91 million (13.5%) and Herbal & Healthcare Products with RM75.52 million (12.3%) respectively

• Besides Malaysia, exhibitors from Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand and China were the top 5 countries with the highest sales value generated throughout the trade fair.

The exhibition this year had attracted 316 Malaysian companies and 227 international companies from 29 countries. China, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan and South Africa were the major participating countries with the highest number of exhibitors. There were 89 exhibitors from ASEAN countries and 79 from the OIC. Throughout the 4-day exhibition, MIHAS 2016 received a total of 22,027 numbers of visitors comprising local and international companies, associations, foreign delegations and others.

“MATRADE, as the national trade promotion agency, is determined to promoting Malaysian halal products and services to global markets. With great interest from the Muslim and non-Muslim countries in the halal industry, the time has come for Malaysian companies to expand their horizons and leverage on Malaysia’s status as the pioneer in halal economy through trade events such as MIHAS,” said Dato’ Dzulkifli Mahmud, Chief Executive Officer of MATRADE.

To add value to the event, MATRADE had also organised a series of trade talks where leading industry players shared their foresights into the halal market. “MATRADE is committed to developing small and medium sized entrepreneurs (SMEs) through this platform so they can compete effectively abroad. The trade talks provided useful information to exporters and had received great and positive response from participants,” Dato’ Dzulkifli explained.

The premier international halal event began in 2004 and continues to grow from strength to strength as the world’s largest halal marketplace. The 14th edition of MIHAS will be organised from 5th to 8th April 2017.