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YB DATO' MUKHRIZ MAHATHIR
DEPUTY MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRY
ON THE OCCASION OF
THE OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY
OF
MIHAS 2011 &
WORLD HALAL RESEARCH 2011
GRAND BALLROOM 1, LEVEL 3
KUALA LUMPUR CONVENTION CENTRE
KLCC, KUALA LUMPUR
6 APRIL 2011
Assalamualaikum W.B.T and Salam 1Malaysia.
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.
Yang Berhormat Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob,
Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism;
Yang Berbahagia Datuk Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria,
Secretary General Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI);
Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Mah Siew Keong,
Chairman of MATRADE;
Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Dr Syed Jalaludin Syed Salim,
Chairman of Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC);
Yang Berbahagia Datuk Aziz Jamaludin Mohd Tahir,
Chairman of Islamic Dakwah Foundation Malaysia (YADIM);
Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Noharuddin Nordin,
Chief Executive Officer of MATRADE;
Your Excellencies,
Members of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
1. First of all, my heartfelt thanks to YB Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism for his presence this afternoon to grace the official opening of the 8th International Halal Showcase (MIHAS 2011) and the 4th World Halal Research Summit (WHR 2011).
2. I would also like to say ‘Selamat Datang’ in extending a warm welcome to all exhibitors, participants and visitors both domestic and foreign. The theme of this year’s MIHAS “Expanding Your Business Horizon” is appropriate given that there is now a high level of awareness among consumers, both Muslims and non-Muslims, of the attributes of consuming and using Halal products and services. In addition, as a result of research and technology, the opportunities for the Halal industry have expanded beyond the food sector thus widening the business horizon for Halal.
Ladies and Gentleman,
3. Through policy initiatives, programmes and activities introduced by the Government as well as the active participation of the private sector, Malaysia is now in the forefront for the development of the Halal industry. In this regard, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and its agencies namely MATRADE, HDC, MIDA, SME Corp, MPC, MIDF and SME Bank have contributed substantially to this goal through various programmes and activities, working in collaboration with other relevant government agencies such as JAKIM and Standards Malaysia.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
4. MIHAS is our flagship programme for the international promotion of the Halal industry. This exhibition has proven to be an excellent platform for Malaysian companies, especially SMEs, to promote their Halal products and services in a cost effective manner. With MIHAS, export-ready SMEs with resource constraints do not have to participate in exhibitions overseas to promote their products.
5. Since its establishment, MIHAS has showcased a wide range of Halal products and services ranging from food to non-food, personal care products, pharmaceuticals and services in finance, logistics and packaging. In line with the goal of ensuring the entire supply chain adheres to the Halal tenets, this year, MIHAS will introduce a new range of Halal products in the pet food sector and lubricants for machinery used for the manufacture of halal products.
6. I am pleased to inform that this year a total of 401 exhibitors occupying 514 booths are participating in the exhibition, of which 259 or 64 per cent are Malaysians. In terms of international participation, exhibitors from 32 countries are participating in MIHAS 2011. This year we welcome Chile and Vietnam for the first time! Countries with large participation are China, Iran, Indonesia, Belgium, France and Turkey.
7. I am glad to note from the profile of the exhibitors, range of products showcased, buyers and trade visitors registered, MIHAS has elevated itself into a truly international exhibition for the Halal industry. From the domestic exhibitors, we see greater participation by large and export-ready companies showcasing innovative products of high quality for the international market. From the foreign exhibitors, the range and quality of products and services exhibited have also improved.
8. For international exhibitors MIHAS provides an effective avenue for Halal producers, traders and service providers to trade, network and forge closer business alliances. I would like to emphasize that MIHAS is not only a gateway to the Malaysian market, but a springboard to tap into the large market that is ASEAN.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
9. An important component of MIHAS is the organisation of the Incoming Buying Mission (IBM) programme by MATRADE. Under this programme, MATRADE through its network offices worldwide has identified potential buyers and business partners to meet Malaysian exhibitors at MIHAS. A special two day one-to-one business meetings was organised on the 5th and 6th of April, where a total of 5,149 business meetings were arranged between Malaysian companies and international buyers.
10. A total of 552 international buyers from 47 countries participated in the trade business meeting programme this year. I was informed that the meetings held yesterday have generated total immediate and potential sales of RM 56.62 million. The figures for today are being computed.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
11. The deliberation at the 4th WHR (World Halal Research Summit) scheduled on the 6th – 7th April organised by HDC will further support initiatives to develop the Halal industry. Presenting the theme of “Catalyst for Growth in the Halal Industry”, this year’s Summit will gather close to 1,000 delegates and participants from 94 organisations worldwide to discuss and deliberate on catalyst-related issues as found in research findings, innovation, emerging technologies, trends, manufacturing processes and other challenges currently facing Halal industry players.
12. Before I end, I would like to acknowledge the presence of the media from Chengdu, Jeddah, Paris and Singapore, covering MIHAS and the development of the Halal industry in Malaysia. I bid you a warm welcome and hope you will help spread the word that Malaysia is ever willing to work with overseas partners in developing the global Halal market.
13. To all our distinguished guests, members of the media, thank you again for your presence and we look forward to your continued support for MIHAS and World Halal Research Summit.
Thank you. |
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