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.
