News From : DagangHalal.com (24 Nov 2010)
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Bernama) — More Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) should penetrate the halal markets in Iran and West Asia, International Trade and Industry Ministry Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria said on Wednesday.
She said there was a lot of potential in Iran and West Asian countries, and local SMEs should be looking to increase their presence there.
“The potentials are very much unexplored and untapped because a lot of local SMEs are not aware of it,” she told reporters after launching the New Halal Frontier Market: Iran and West Asia seminar here.
She said this seminar would serve to provide information about the potential markets in Iran and West Asian countries to the local SMEs in order to help them establish their presence in these markets.
“We have with us top Iranian businessmen and representatives from the Iranian Chamber of Commerce who will assist SMEs to meet and match products and services for these markets.
“A specialised business matching session will also be conducted between SMEs and Tehran Mega Mall on products promotion for the Malaysia Halal Showcase Promotion between July and December next year,” she added.
She also hoped that SMEs would continue to develop valuable insights, and this could help SMEs generate more ideas towards providing world-class halal products and services.
She said this seminar was also important to help position made-in-Malaysia halal products and services in the international market to make Malaysia a global halal hub.
Organised by the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC), the two-day seminar and workshop emphasises specific learnings for SMEs keen to make inroads in the Iranian and West Asian markets.
HDC Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin said the seminar was the best platform for getting to know the markets in and around Iran.
“Specifically, there is a trade export value amounting to RM35 million to be tapped in this buying mission over two days.
“We also hope to conclude a sales export value of a further RM15 million at the concurrent Malaysian showcase event between July and December next year,” he added.
– BERNAMA