Matrade invites businesses to connect with 400 halal products buyers

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation’s (Matrade) flagship International Sourcing Programme (INSP) will host over 400 international buyers from more than 50 countries in the Middle East, Europe, Central Asia, South Asia, Oceania and African region and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

The programme is held in conjunction with the four-day 18th Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2022 from Sept 7-10, 2022.

An anticipated 2,760 business meetings are expected during the physical INSP MIHAS event on Sept 6, 2022 while the virtual B2B meetings will be held via a virtual platform depending on the availability of buyers and suppliers.

Matrade chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz said last year’s INSP MIHAS connected 385 Malaysian companies with 333 international buyers, generating deals worth RM749.1 million for Malaysian exporters. The agency expects an equally successful programme this year.

“We highly encourage Malaysian businesses to maximise this tremendous opportunity to expand their export presence into new markets by meeting new buyers and exploring crosssegment collaborations,” he said.

Mohd Mustafa said Malaysian companies can look forward to connecting with premium buyers representing some of the largest conglomerates and supermarkets in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, USA, India and Türkiye.

INSP MIHAS involves prearranged one-to-one business meetings, both physical and virtual, facilitating trade deals between international buyers and Malaysian suppliers of halal products and services.

International buyers are seeking to connect with Malaysian companies from 13 clusters, namely, food and beverages; services and enablers; cosmetics and personal care; modest fashion; food technology; pharmaceuticals; media and recreation; eCommerce; Islamic finance; Muslimfriendly travel; franchise; education; and Islamic arts and crafts.

Malaysian businesses with halal offerings are urged to register at no charge with the MIHAS INSP secretariat.

The programme’s hybrid format this year is curated in line with Malaysia’s transition into the endemic phase and subsequent reopening of the country’s international borders.

Registration for the physical INSP MIHAS is open until August 18 and Aug 31 for the virtual event.