MIHAS@Shanghai: Rural And Regional Ministry Targets RM150 Mln Sales

From Amanina Mohamad Yusof

SHANGHAI, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- The Rural and Regional Development Ministry has targeted RM150 million in sales at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) in Shanghai (MIHAS@Shanghai) 2025 through the participation of 16 rural entrepreneurs/companies under its wing.

Its Deputy Secretary-General (Policy) Datuk Abdul Kahar Abdullah said the 16 are from the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) Gate to Global (GTG) programme, and entrepreneurs from its agencies and regional development authorities. All of them have the credentials to penetrate global markets.

“They are rural entrepreneurs or companies with high-potential, export-ready products. They have halal certification and the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification. They also have the production capacity to fulfil potential business orders,” he told Bernama at MIHAS@Shanghai here today.

Abdul Kahar said three local entrepreneurs have already signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreement (MoAs) with distributors and buyers from China, with total sales worth RM55.5 million for products such as bird’s nests, health foods, and spices.

The companies include Blue Sky Bird Nest Sdn Bhd, Zinon Food Industry Sdn Bhd, and Agym Nutrition Sdn Bhd.

He added that the GTG programme was developed to help rural entrepreneurs broaden their markets.

“A core focus of the ministry is entrepreneur development. The GTG programme assists entrepreneurs in penetrating international markets.

“Those selected produce high-quality products that meet international standards and have the production capacity to fulfil orders,” he said.

Meanwhile, MARA chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the agency will continue to work closely with Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) to ensure that entrepreneurs under MARA succeed globally.

“We no longer want bumiputra entrepreneurs to remain as local champions — we want them to be global players.

“The MARA-MATRADE collaboration is crucial because MATRADE promotes international trade and provides a platform to support MARA’s efforts,” he said.

According to Asyraf Wajdi, entrepreneurs under MARA have successfully entered markets in Japan, China, South Korea, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, India, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Germany and Italy.

-- BERNAMA