By Editor -September 15, 2021
The 17th edition of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2021, which is being held virtually is evidently a premier halal event in the region with multiple key player keen to showcase their products and services.
This year due to the ongoing pandemic, organisers move the event online, but this has not deterred the robust nature of the sector with 549 exhibitors and record sales in the first four days of the event. The showcase received over 8,500 virtual visitors comprising local and international companies, generating total sales of RM985.3 million in the first four days.
MIHAS 2021 is hosted by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and organised by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) started on 9 September and ends on 31 December 2021.
The products and sectors that were much in demand from the buyers clearly reflected the 12 sectors that MIHAS 2021 is promoting this year, namely Halal food, education, pharmaceuticals, services and enablers, franchises, modest fashion, Islamic finance, Halal cosmetics, media and recreation, Muslim-friendly tourism, e-commerce and food technology.
According to Matrrade Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, Malaysian exhibitors too did very well, reporting sales amounting to RM341.1 million during the first 4 days of the virtual showcase. “The creation of market opportunities for domestic Halal players is part of MATRADE’s effort in supporting the nation’s economic recovery,” he said.
For the first 4-days of MIHAS 2021, sectors that recorded the highest total sales were Islamic Financial Services (RM380.9 million with 38.7% of total share), Beverages (RM217.5 million, 22.1%), Pharmaceutical, Toiletries & Cosmetics (RM123.2 million, 12.5%), Prepared Food (RM80.0 million, 8.1%), and Palm Oil Products (RM 57.1 million or 5.8%).
Mr. Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz highlighted the fact that the total sales generated by thus far amounts to RM1.6 billion after incorporating sales from the ongoing virtual exhibition and the International Sourcing Programme (INSP) sales. INSP, one of the flagship components of MIHAS, is a demand-driven B2B business-matching programme for Malaysian exporters that was organised by Matrade and its 46 offices worldwide since April this year as a run-up to MIHAS 2021.
This year there was an increase in the number of participation from international companies with exhibitors from 43 different countries, including first-time participants from Mexico, Guatemala, Trinidad and Tobago, and Colombia who were able to engage with buyers from various different countries throughout different time zones at all hours.
Adding to this success, Matrade is confident that the 18th edition of the event next year will be on a bigger scale with commitment for continued synergy between physical and virtual format to reach out more Halal industry players.
Side activities complementing the showcase included sessions on Islamic financing, innovation and business sustainability, digital technologies and the role of women entrepreneurs and perspectives from the youth in the Halal economy. Prominent speakers featured in the knowledge hub session included Dato’ Abdul Latif Haji Abu Seman, Director General of Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and Datuk Dr Mohd Daud Bakar, Founder and Executive Chairman of Amanie Group and Chairman of Shariah Advisory Council Bank Negara Malaysia.
Fully Digital MIHAS 2021 To Boost Halal Industry
The 17th edition of The Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS 2021), hosted by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), will start on September 9, 2021.
Themed ‘Empowering Halal, Tomorrow, Together’, MIHAS 2021, the longest running global halal trade showcase in the world, will virtually be accessible for the first time ever until December 31, 2021.
Saying the global halal economy is facing challenges posed by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has set higher goals and says it is going to be a catalyst in reviving the halal industry worldwide.
Speaking at the MIHAS 2021 virtual media launch, MATRADE Chairman, Tan Sri Dr Halim Mohammad said, “MATRADE is delighted to yet again organise MIHAS, which promises to offer an abundance of trade opportunities and trending market insights related to the global Halal economy.”
He pointed out that this year, the virtual showcase is structured into three major components comprising of virtual exhibitions, eBizMatch, and Knowledge Hub.
eBizMatch, which is a B2B business matching virtual International Sourcing Programme (INSP) has been embedded as a key component of MIHAS 2021 to introduce and connect more Malaysian exporters to new potential markets and international buyers throughout the three-month exhibition period ending in December 2021. It is a testament to the agency’s efforts in integrating digitalisation in trade promotion, thus mitigating the impact of border closures and lockdowns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Knowledge Hub, the third component of MIHAS 2021, offers registered trade visitors thought-provoking dialogues on Halal related topics covering Islamic financing, innovation and business sustainability, digital technologies the role of women and perspectives from young entrepreneurs in Halal economy, among others.
The virtual exhibition this year features 549 virtual exhibitors with 52% or 303 comprising international exhibitors from 43 different countries. The top five countries include Indonesia with 45 exhibitors,China with 25 exhibitors, Philippines with 20 exhibitors, South Korea with 18 exhibitors and Thailand drawing 16 exhibitors.
Prominent policy makers, strategic thinkers, academicians as well as industry leaders and influencers will offer their perspectives and thoughts in a total of 13 market access and plenary sessions, which will be live streamed on the MIHAS Virtual platform scheduled over three days, 10 to 12 September. The digital capabilities of MIHAS 2021 enables playbacks for all sessions, accommodating particularly international trade visitors in different time zones.
MIHAS 2021 collaborative partners comprise leading advocates of the Halal economy: Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (BIMB), Malaysian conglomerate and leading producer of coconut-based products, LINACO, Standard Chartered Saadiq Berhad, and CIMB Islamic Banking Berhad (CIMB).
In a bid to further advance Malaysia’s export development, Tan Sri Dr Halim said that MATRADE will be inking a string of public-private partnerships at the official launch of MIHAS 2021 on 9 September.
Upon opening its virtual doors on 9 September, the MIHAS 2021 trade exhibition will offer the local and international trade community a borderless Halal market, accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week for more than three months. For more information or to register as a MIHAS 2021 trade visitor visit www.mihasvirtual.com.my