MIHAS 2009 RECORDS HIGHEST FOREIGN PARTICIPATION

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 (Bernama) -- The sixth Malaysia International Halal
Showcase (MIHAS) 2009 which took off today at the Matrade Exhibition and
Convention Centre here has received the highest number of foreign participation
thus far, Minister of International Trade and Industry Mustapa Mohamed
said.

"This year's response has been better in terms of number of booths and
foreign participation," he told Bernama when visiting the exhibition Wednesday.

Among the new countries participating this year are Palestine, Japan, France
and Tunisia who will promote their halal products at the event.

For Mustapa Atelier des Parfums, a well known perfume company from France,
this is the first time it is exhibiting its world class perfume at the event.

MIHAS 2009 is a leading exhibition platform for showcasing halal products
and services organised by Malaysia External Trade and Development Corporation
(Matrade).

"It is also a venue for establishing trade ties among participants in the
global halal trade to jointly expand the halal market amid the current economic
downturn," Mustapa said.

More than 600 buyers from 40 countries have also registered to participate
in the business matching sessions to be held during the event.

In conjunction with MIHAS 2009, which will end on May 10, the Halal Industry
Development Corporation will also launch the World Halal 2009 Research
conference which will end on May 8.

The conference is to serve as an avenue for scientists, researchers, and
academicians to discuss and share ideas on the latest research findings,
technologies and trends as well as challenges facing the halal industry.

-- BERNAMA