In 2014 South Africa will have a considerable presence in the form of a National Pavilion showcasing 20 or more businesses at 11th Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) held in Kuala Lumpur in April. This time the Department of Trade and Industry will play a leading role in gaining exposure for local businesses who meet the deadline for submission of applications by 15 November 2013. Interested parties should go online to here to register.

According to organisers, Mihas has now reached a momentous milestone in serving the global halal industry through its hugely successful and effective platform, creating immense economic prospects by enhancing the marketability of halal products and services, whilst building knowledge-sharing relationships that transcends geographical and religious boundaries.

“Coming to its 11th year, this hugely successful and effective platform returns to bring new opportunities and functions as a one-stop-centre for all things halal. MIHAS is the largest halal trade fair in the world with more than 518 booths that offers quality halal products and services that highlights world-class potential business partnership with global industry stakeholders as well as invaluable exposure and insights. MIHAS 2014 will be held from 9th to 12th April at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, a world-class venue that offers convenient access for trade visitors and businesses alike,” said Mohd Shukri Bin Abdullah, founder and CEO of MIHAS.

“Companies can expand their business worldwide through MIHAS, which offers a great branding platform for your products and services targeting the 2.1 billion Muslims worldwide;  secure new sales, and utilise MIHAS as the ideal entry point into the ASEAN and global Muslim market; enhance business relationships and gain useful insights from the local and global Halal players; explore and expand into new markets via over 500 trade buyers from around the world; get exposed to the latest market trends and boost your market’s competitiveness; increase product recognition through extensive media coverage in print, electronic and cyberspace,” he added.

According to Nazreen Salie of Cape Malay Consultants, the authorised MIHAS sales and marketing representative in South Africa, the general general understanding is that “halal” pertains solely to food and beverage. “However, SA-inbound tourism-and-related businesses such as transport, accommodation, registered tour guide, restauranteur, hotelier, hotels, retail outlet, spa treatment, to name a few;  also producers of non-food items such as perfumery, toiletries, cosmetics, personal and body care products; leather goods (shoes, jackets and so on) should take advantage of this opportunity from DTI,” she explained.

“Manufacturers of halal-certified processed and ready-to-eat food and beverage; canned food, dairy products, grocery products, seafood, meat & poultry, confectionary, biscuits, pastries, snacks & candies, grains and nuts, preserved fruits & vegetable products, health supplements, food chemicals and additives, emulsifiers & ingredients, pharmaceuticals & herbal products; textile, clothing, books, cds, films, handicrafts, etc); educational institutes should leap at the opportunity to be on the first National Pavilion at MIHAS.”

During a recent visit to South Africa Datuk Zakaria Kamaruddin, then Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) said, “Since its inception in 2004, MIHAS has aggressively promoted local and international companies at the global marketplace, along with their products and services. Today, it is an important trade fair by Malaysia for the world.  Over the past decade, MIHAS has evolved to become the preferred medium for global players across the entire Halal supply chain; an annual meeting point for Halal exporters and importers to reach out to ever-ready buyers and expand their business horizons.”

MIHAS 2014 will be held from 9 – 12 April 2014 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, a world-class venue that offers convenient access for trade visitors and businesses alike. “If you wish to exhibit  your halal-certified Proudly SA product or service, apply to DTI. Should you require assistance with the application, we can arrange assistance via a duly qualified person assigned to this task. Take advantage of our early bird rates. You have to pay upfront and then claim from DTI, so it makes good sense to spend as little as possible of your own funds,” Salie advised.

For more information, email capemalay@hotmail.com and follow developments on their Facebook page. VOC