MIHAS 2021 OFF TO A STRONG START WITH RM1.6 BLN IN SALES - MATRADE

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 -- The 17th Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2021 has kicked off to a strong start with RM1.6 billion in sales, said the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). 

In a statement today, MATRADE said 12 sectors and products in demand include halal food, education, franchisers, modest fashion, Islamic finance, halal cosmetics, media and creation, Muslim-friendly tourism, e-commerce, food technology, pharmaceuticals, as well as services and enablers. 

In the first four days of the event, Islamic financial services recorded the highest total sales with RM380.9 million with 38.7 per cent of total share, beverages (RM217.5 million, 22.1 per cent), pharmaceutical, toiletries and cosmetics (RM123.2 million, 12.5 per cent), prepared food (RM80.0 million, 8.1 per cent), and palm oil products (RM57.1 million or 5.8 per cent).

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MATRADE chief executive officer Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz said Malaysian exhibitors reported sales amounting to RM341.1 million during the first four days of the virtual showcase.

"MIHAS has clearly made a strong comeback despite two years of absence and being presented for the first time through a virtual format. 

"The virtual format, to our surprise, has been overwhelming. For example, apart from the sales that MIHAS 2021 has generated, it also secured 549 virtual booths compared to the target of 500 booths,” he said. 

Through the virtual platform, exhibitors from 43 different countries, including first-time participants from, among others, Mexico, Guatemala, Trinidad and Tobago, and Colombia were able to engage with buyers from various countries throughout different time zones at all hours.

The event, organised by MATRADE, attracted over 8,500 virtual visitors within four days.

MIHAS is hosted by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and runs from Sept 9 until Dec 31, 2021.

-- BERNAMA