FRIDAY, 7 APRIL 2017, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) as the organiser of Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS), celebrates the participants of MIHAS 2017 at an award ceremony, called MIHAS Awards 2017. The event pays homage to local and foreign exhibitors at MIHAS 2017 for their innovations and creativity in booth designs and product innovation.

The award's categories are, Best Malaysian Booth Design & Presentation; Best International Booth Design & Presentation; Best Country Pavilion Award and two new categories Most Innovative F&B Product and Most Innovative Non-Food & Services.

The winners are selected by a panel of judges whose representatives are from MATRADE, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), National Innovation Agency Malaysia, Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), University of Malaya (UM), Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) and Malaysia Design Council. The selection of the winners was made based on originality, innovative features and eco-friendly aspect.

A total of 56 entries received, with 42 coming from the Food & Beverages sector and 14 from the Non-Food & Services sector. Apart from the local entries, applications from foreign exhibitors such as from South Korea, Belgium, Indonesia, Spain, Finland, Palestine, Japan, Taiwan and Thailand were sent in.

Held for the sixth time since 2012, MIHAS Awards was introduced as a form of appreciation for the efforts made by MIHAS' participants in adopting innovation in their Halal products and services.

"With MIHAS being recognised as a world-renowned Halal trade fair, we hope for the award to add value to event's brand. We anticipate the award will soon gain a stronger traction and this will encourage more companies to participate in the future MIHAS," MATRADE's Chief Executive Officer Ir Dr Mohd Shahreen Zainooreen Madros said.

MIHAS Awards will return next year at MIHAS 2018, which will take place from 4 to 7 April 2018 at MATRADE International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Over the past 13 years, MIHAS has grown from a mere consumer event to the world's largest Halal trade fair. The event this year was officiated by the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato' Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on 5 April 2017. The four-day exhibition is currently being held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) until 8 April 2017 and features 580 exhibitors from 33 countries.

For more details on the event, visit www.mihas.com.my.