MELAKA, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- The state government is setting its sights on attracting 50,000 visitors to the Melaka International Halal Festival 2024 (MIHF’24), which begins tomorrow and runs until Dec 22.
State Education, Higher Education, and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman said that the inaugural event was aimed at promoting Melaka as a premier international halal hub and a leading global destination for halal tourism.
“This festival will involve 300 exhibitors from home and abroad, as well as halal industry players from 19 countries, including ASEAN countries such as the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
“The organisation of this event is also seen as a platform for halal companies to promote their products and services to a wider target audience,” he told reporters after appearing as a guest on the ‘Apa Khabau YB’ segment on MELAKA.fm.
Elaborating, Rahmad said the event also provided an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to expand their business networks and stay updated on the latest standards and trends in the halal industry.
He said that the festival could contribute to efforts aimed at reinforcing Malaysia’s role as a leader in the halal industry by showcasing innovation and a broad range of halal products and services to the global market.
“The festival also plays a role in introducing Melaka in conjunction with the World Tourism Day (WTD) 2025 celebration and Visit Melaka Year 2024, while also attracting both local and international tourists.
“This will help promote Melaka, which offers a wide variety of quality halal products, Muslim-friendly historical tourism, and facilities such as halal-certified hotels and restaurants,” he said.
He added that local entrepreneurs interested in obtaining halal certification for their products could find more information on the procedures through advisory services available at MIHF’24.
Rahmad said that the event, which runs from 10 am to 10 pm, would feature a variety of exciting activities for visitors, such as halal product exhibitions on food, cosmetics, and fashion.
“In addition, there will be pocket talks on the halal industry, sales programmes, halal product promotions, cooking demonstrations, and entrepreneurship activities for micro-enterprises and SMEs,” he said.
-- BERNAMA