MONDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2023, KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is spearheading the participation of Malaysian companies in one of the world’s largest annual food and beverage (F&B) trade fairs, Gulfood 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 20 to 24 February 2023. A total of 71 Malaysian companies and four (4) Government agencies will take centre stage at the exhibition to promote a wide range of quality, innovative and competitive Malaysian Halal F&B products.
Under the Malaysian pavilion, there will be 11 exhibitors who are participating under the SME Bank’s Business Export Programme (BEP), a structured intervention programme by Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (MECD), spearheaded by SME Bank in collaboration with MATRADE. With the growing global halal market, companies participating under the SME Bank BEP programme can benefit from Gulfood as all its participating companies are halal certified.
Group President/Chief Executive Officer SME Bank Datuk Wira (Dr.) Aria Putera Ismail said, “From this trade fair, we expect the 11 participants to generate potential sales of RM10 million. To date, a total of 47 BEP participants have participated in a series of EAMs organised jointly with MECD and MATRADE, generating export sales worth RM240 million. These export sales have exceeded the target sales of RM47 million for new export market penetration and overseas accreditation set by the end of the BEP in 2024. As at December 2022, nine (9) of the BEP participants have successfully secured financing amounting RM91.65 million from SME Bank.”
Delima Oil Products Sdn. Bhd. (Delima Oil), a subsidiary of Felda Global Ventures Holdings Berhad (FGV), is looking at higher market penetration in the halal market industry, both domestic and global, with its line of fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) products. At Gulfood this year, Delima Oil will be showcasing its products under the SAJI and ADELA brands including the newly launched SAJI All Purpose Seasoned Flour. There are over 60 products produced by Delima Oil.
Both SME Bank and FGV Holdings Berhad are among MATRADE’s strategic partners for Gulfood 2023 and the collaboration established signifies the importance of synergy within trade ecosystem in strengthening Malaysia’s trade and most importantly, the competitiveness of our exporters globally.
According to Director of Halal, F&B and Agro-based Section at MATRADE, Remee Yaakub, as the national trade promotion agency of Malaysia, MATRADE is committed to provide suitable and effective platforms for Malaysian exporters to penetrate the overseas market. “Malaysia’s participation in Gulfood for the 19th time this year demonstrates that this iconic event serves as a great platform for Malaysia to highlight the wide variety of high-quality products offered by Malaysian companies to buyers in Dubai & neighbouring countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region”, said Remee.
“The demand for Malaysian F&B products in the region has been growing its popularity and consumers worldwide are becoming more health conscious and focus on the nutritional benefits of foods. This global trend, which we are also seeing, creates tremendous new opportunities for food innovations, food safety and organic food. As the global leader in the Halal industry, we will leverage on Gulfood to promote participation in MIHAS 2023 which will be held from 12-15 September 2023 in MITEC, Kuala Lumpur. MATRADE is confident that with the continuous promotion, Malaysian F&B manufacturers will be able to expand their presence globally”, he added.
In 2022, Malaysia’s exports of processed food recorded a double-digit growth of 15.5% to reach RM28.40 billion from RM24.60 billion last year. Exports to the GCC region also increased significantly by 23.1% to RM1.71 billion as compared to 2021 which recorded RM1.39 billion.
MATRADE, an agency under the patronage of the Ministry of International Trade & Industry (MITI), has 46 global offices in major cities around the world. Its role is to facilitate Malaysian companies’ access to global markets. Malaysian exporters who are interested in penetrating the Middle East market may contact MATRADE Dubai at Alamat emel ini dilindungi dari Spambot. Anda perlu hidupkan JavaScript untuk melihatnya. to receive market updates, business contacts, and information on business opportunities.