The 15th Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2018, organised by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), yet again proved to be a major catalyst in growing halal trade in Malaysia as well as internationally.
The event, which took place from 4-7 April 2018 was held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC). A total of RM1.52 billion sales were recorded, compared to RM1.01 billion registered last year.
The sales were from the event’s two main components – exhibition and business matching programme called International Sourcing Programme (INSP). Sales from the exhibition component recorded an increase of 29 per cent to RM914.57 million compared to RM708.82 million in 2017, while the INSP generated sales of RM602.45 million, an increase of 99.5 per cent compared to RM301.99 million in 2017.
The top performing sectors at MIHAS 2018 exhibition were prepared food (RM407.20 million or 44.5% share of total sales), beverages (RM129.3 million or 14.1% share), pharmaceuticals, toiletries & cosmetics (RM108.04 million or 11.8% share), agricultural produce (RM68.53 million or 7.5% share) and machinery & equipment (RM41.58 million or 4.6% share). The iconic event focused on seven key product and services clusters namely food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, finance, tourism, e-Commerce and logistics.
The exhibition has attracted 778 exhibitors from 32 countries, and witnessed first-time participation from Cambodia, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. Throughout the 4-day exhibition, MIHAS 2018 received over 21,000 visitors comprising local and international companies, associations, foreign delegation and others.
The INSP, held on 3 April 2018, attracted more than 182 prospective foreign buyers from 39 countries. During the event, a total of 2,094 business meetings were arranged between the international buyers and 428 Malaysian exporters. Among the top countries with the highest export sales for Malaysian companies at the INSP were China (RM310.46 million or 51.5% share of total sales), India (RM75.61 million or 12.6% share), Poland (RM71.34 million or 11.8% share), Thailand (RM21.70 million or 3.6% share) and the United States (RM20.13 million or 3.3% share).
MIHAS began in 2004 and continues to grow as the world’s largest halal trade event. It was held under the patronage of Ministry of International Trade and Industry in association with Halal Development Corporation (HDC) and Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM). MIHAS is a component of World Halal Week 2018 which was held from March 26 to April 2018. The 16th edition of MIHAS will return next year from 3 to 6 April 2019 at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
Source: Halal-Welt – Global Halal Business Magazine
