Mihas 2017 To Feature Even More Exhibitors

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 (Bernama) -- The 14th edition of the four-day Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas)from Apr 5 will feature an even larger number of exhibitors. This will help further strengthen the country’s position as a global hub for the Islamic economy. "Malaysia’s conducive Islamic economic landscape is exemplary to many nations, resulting in Mihas’ strong positioning around the world," Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) Chief Executive Officer,Ir Dr Mohd Shahreen Zainooreen Madros said today. Mihas is also a testament to the government’s efforts at promoting and marketing halal products and services of Malaysian companies to the world, without them having to travel overseas, he added, in a statement here Saturday. Mihas 2017 will host 633 exhibitors from over 30 countries and is expected to see 25,000 visitors. Among the countries taking part in Mihas this year are ASEAN member countries, Turkey, Brazil, South Africa, Palestine, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, China, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. Last year, 543 companies from 29 countries participated in the event and it welcomed more than 22,000 visitors comprising trade visitors from local and international organisations, associations, foreign delegations and others. Mohd Shahreen said the halal industry has been gaining strong momentum over the past decade, and much of this robust growth is fuelled by high demand from not only Muslims, but also non-Muslims. Matrade, Malaysia's trade promotion agency is the organiser of Mihas. The world-renowned event aims to promote Malaysia’s Halal sector and is under the patronage of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. "Mihas is an avenue for all stakeholders in the public and private sectors in Malaysia to work collectively to promote the trade in halal products and services. "This will have a direct impact on the development of the Islamic economy’s ecosystem around the world," Mohd Shahreen said. Mihas 2017 will highlight segments within the global Halal industry's supply chain such as food & beverages products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and machinery, among others. This year, a segment on the services sector, particularly financial services, halal logistics, e-commerce and tourism will also be introduced. Complementing Mihas 2017 will be the inaugural Malaysia International Islamic Lifestyle Exhibition (Mile), an event to promote Islamic lifestyle products. Mile aims to promote clusters such as modest fashion, Islamic education & literature, Islamic arts, Information Technology and multimedia, jewellery and ornaments as well as social & community development. In an effort to intensify business deals during the event, Matrade will add value to its signature business matching initiative called International Sourcing Programme (INSP), by potentially organising site visits to highlight the operations of Malaysian companies to foreign buyers, apart from coordinating business meetings for participants. This is intended to influence business decisions among the potential foreign buyers matched with the local suppliers and improve the rapport between these industry players for long-term benefits. Last year, Mihas generated sales of RM1.14 billion - an increase of four per cent from 2015 – from both the exhibition and INSP sales. Inaugurated in 2004 with the vision of becoming a global halal marketplace, Mihas has earned a reputation as the world’s largest trade fair of its kind. For more details on the event, visit www.mihas.com.my / www.mihas2017.my. -- BERNAMA