The 8th Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2011 is moving towards a transformation this year by engaging in more business-to-business (B2B) and Incoming Buying Missions (IBM).
Only export-ready Halal SMEs are allowed to showcase their products in MIHAS beginning this year.
MIHAS, which was a mix of trade and retail previously, will switch its focus to strictly promoting trade beginning this year now that it is officially under the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade).
“Our focus this year is for Malaysian entrepreneurs to vault into the international market with Matrade’s help as the MIHAS owner,” said its chief executive officer Mohd. Shukri Abdullah.
He said the transformation can be seen with the changes in this year’s exhibition, where the first three days have been alloted to traders and only the last day is for the public.
For the exhibitors, Matrade chief executive officer Datuk Noharuddin Nordin said they had gone through a strict selection process to ensure the event remain as the world’s premier exhibition of halal products.
“We give priority to quality and the companies’ readiness to export their products to the international market,” he said. “We need to be careful in selecting the companies because we don’t want MIHAS to be seen as the same standard as other consumer exhibition because its role is more toward B2B,” he added.
All 514 exhibition lots have been sold out and according to Shukri, there are still 40 companies on the waiting list. Over 500 foreign buyers are expected to visit MIHAS this year which will be held from April 6-9 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is scheduled to open this year’s show.
Shukri hoped that many existing and would be local entrepreneurs will come and visit MIHAS and see for themselves the potential of halal products and subsequently, be involve in this industry.
He also added that another halal exhibition will be held later this year, catering specifically for the consumers. For more information, log on to www.mihas.com.my.
Adapted from BERNAMA
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