HYT EXPANDS HALAL MARKET FOOTPRINT IN THAILAND

By Linda Khoo Hui Li

BANGKOK, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- E-commerce cross-border facilitator HYT Cross Border Sdn Bhd (HYT) is expanding its halal market footprint in Thailand through the Malaysia Halal Pavilion.

Established by HYT on Shopee Thailand, the Malaysia Halal Pavillion was launched yesterday (Jan 11) to facilitate Malaysian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) to perform e-commerce export.

Malaysian Ambassador to Thailand Datuk Jojie Samuel launched the Malaysia Halal Pavilion with Trade Commissioner Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) Bangkok Mohamed Hafiz Md Shariff and HYT managing director Datuk Danny Tan in attendance.

The platform provides end-to-end support services to Malaysian halal food providers to expand their international footprints into Thailand with its integrated solutions in custom clearance, warehouse and cross-border logistics, trademark protection, sales, marketing, and promotions.

HYT chief executive officer Kyle Keah said there are about 50 Malaysian halal products listed in the marketplace and is likely to hit about 200 by the end of next month.

“It is a significant milestone for HYT in extending its international footprints, after China. We are excited about the opportunities to assist and facilitate cross-border e-commerce export of halal Malaysian products to Thailand through the Malaysia Halal Pavilion on Shopee Thailand.

“The demand for halal products has accelerated significantly in Thailand.

“We are looking at hitting 15 million baht in sales in the first year in Thailand,” he told Bernama.

HYT Cross Border Sdn Bhd founded HYT China in 2017 to help Malaysian businesses to access the China market. 

“Through the establishment of the Malaysia Halal Pavilion, HYT will work to enhance Malaysian halal products’ visibility and take vigorous efforts to engage the Malaysian halal businesses with wholesalers/distributors and online retailers in Thailand and surrounding markets,” Keah said.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Hafiz said the launch of the Malaysia Halal Pavilion would create more opportunities for Malaysian halal products to make their presence in the Thailand market.

“The progress of this event marks MATRADE’s realisation of online initiatives in export promotions.

“This collaboration has proven and will act as a catalyst that will benefit business communities of both countries. By having upright collaboration between MATRADE and HYT, it will open more doors to increasing trade between Malaysia and Thailand through escalating the use of online promotions,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jojie said the Malaysia Halal Pavilion would benefit businesses and enable them to be more competitive in the global halal market.

“This initiative is certainly appropriate given the current global economic outlook and increasing demand for halal products.

“It also reaffirms the Malaysian government’s commitment to enhancing the economic returns of the halal industry while reinforcing bilateral relations between Malaysia and Thailand,” he said.

Meanwhile, Shopee Thailand cross border head, Wong Chee Mun said cross-border sales are a growing trend in Southeast Asia, supported by increasing internet adoption and greater use of e-commerce.

“Shopee has been building our cross-border capabilities since 2016, and we look towards enhancing the experience with partners like HYT,” he said.

-- BERNAMA