FRIDAY, 5 APRIL 2019, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), the organiser of Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS), celebrates creative and innovative culture among halal businesses at MIHAS 2019 through the coveted MIHAS Awards 2019.

The MIHAS Awards pays homage to local and foreign exhibitors at MIHAS 2019 for their creative booth designs and innovative products & services. The award’s categories are Best Malaysian Booth Design; Best International Booth Design; Best Country Pavilion, Most Innovative F&B Product, Most Innovative Non-Food Product, Best Innovative Services and a newly introduced award called Best MIHAS Promotion via Social Media.

All participants of MIHAS 2019 are eligible for the Design and Booth Presentation and Best MIHAS Promotion via Social Media categories. While for Most Innovative Product, Non-Food Product and Services Category, the selection were made based on companies’ submission.

For the innovation category, the winners were evaluated based on their innovative solutions, product quality, design & presentation and impact to the user. In this category, a total of 50 entries have been received, with 25 coming from the Food & Beverages sector and 25 from the Non-Food & Services sector. Apart from the local entries, entries from foreign exhibitors were also received such as from Thailand, Indonesia, USA, India, UAE, Palestine, Kuwait and Taiwan.

Meanwhile, the newly introduced Best MIHAS Promotion via Social Media Award is aimed at encouraging companies to utilise social media platforms creatively in promoting their products and brand as well as participation at MIHAS.

The winners were selected by a panel of judges from MATRADE, Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Malaysia Design Council (MRM), Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), National Innovation Agency Malaysia, Department of Standards Malaysia, Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC), University of Malaya (UM) and Primeworks Studio. The selection of the winners was made based on the overall product features including its originality, innovative elements, appearance and its Halal qualities.

Held for the eighth time since 2012, MIHAS Awards was introduced as a form of appreciation for MIHAS’ participants for adopting innovation in their Halal products and services.

“In a challenging business environment today, companies are required to be more innovative, and one of the most effective ways to push this culture forward is by encouraging R&D, utilising knowledge and technology to solve challenges and improving the quality of products and services,” MATRADE’s Chairman, Tan Sri Dr. Halim Mohammad said.

“Realising the importance of innovation and creativity, MIHAS Awards recognises the achievement of local and foreign exhibitors that showcase the highest level of innovation and quality that positively impact the consumers. We hope that the awards will add value to MIHAS and will receive greater participation next year,” he added.

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