MIHAS@Shanghai A Platform To Explore New Markets, Boost VM2026 Promotion - Consul General

From Mohd Hisham Abdul Rafar

SHANGHAI, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) in Shanghai presents an opportunity for Malaysia to tap into new markets while serving as an essential platform to promote the country ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026.

Malaysia’s Consul General in Shanghai Shahafeez Shaharis said that apart from its goal of achieving total sales of RM2.5 billion, MIHAS@Shanghai will feature a 2,000 sq ft Malaysian Pavilion showcasing 250 Malaysian companies.

“The showcase will cover several key sectors such as food and beverages, agriculture, medical and healthcare equipment, as well as business and financial services.

“Participating organisations include federal agencies such as the Rural and Regional Development Ministry and its agency MARA, SME Corp, Exim Bank, the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA), the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation and the Malaysian Pepper Board,” he told Malaysian media here Tuesday.

He said that MIHAS@Shanghai has also drawn participation from several state governments, including Perlis, Sarawak, Penang, Selangor, Perak, Sabah, Melaka and Pahang.

Shahafeez said MIHAS@Shanghai 2025 will be officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, on Thursday.

He is also expected to engage with key stakeholders in China’s halal industry to reinforce Malaysia’s leadership in the global halal market and to expand Malaysia’s international trade network.

The Deputy Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive in Shanghai early Wednesday at the invitation of the People’s Republic of China to attend the 8th China International Import Expo at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre here.

Ahmad Zahid, who also chairs the Halal Industry Development Council and the National TVET Council, will witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and attend the opening ceremony of the 2nd Malaysia-China International Industry-TVET Education Cooperation Forum and the 4th Malaysia-China Vocational Education Fair, where he is scheduled to deliver a keynote address.

According to Shahafeez, the event will also witness the signing of several collaborative agreements in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, including a Letter of Intent for the implementation of the SIYUAN Skill Advancement and Employment Programme, the launch of the Malaysia-China TVET Industry-Education Alliance and an MoU to establish the Malaysia-China Satellite Training Programme.

Ahmad Zahid is also slated to officiate at the CIDB Holdings Sdn Bhd Information Centre and the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia’s Pavilion.

China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner since 2009, with total trade between both countries valued at RM484.12 billion in 2024, representing 16.8 per cent of Malaysia’s total global trade (RM2.879 trillion).

In the halal sector, Malaysia recorded halal exports worth RM61.79 billion in 2024, a 15 per cent increase from the previous year, with China ranking as Malaysia’s second-largest halal export destination, valued at RM7.04 billion.

Commenting on the global halal industry, Shahafeez said the sector is currently valued at US$3.5 trillion and is projected to grow to US$5 trillion by 2030.

-- BERNAMA