Matrade Expects 20 Per Cent Rise In Immediate Sales At MIHAS 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) has targeted a 20 per cent increase in immediate sales at Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2010, which will be held in conjunction with Halal Malaysia Week.Its chief executive officer Datuk Noharuddin Nordin said the corporation was confident of achieving the target due to improved economic conditions as well as an increase in participation from exhibitors.Speaking at the official announcement of Halal Malaysia Week here today, Noharuddin said the event had generated RM226.4 million immediate sales and about RM3 billion potential sales last year."This year we target to bring over 600 exhibitors from 30 countries. So far, we have already received 88 per cent take-up rate for the booths," he said.MIHAS 2010, the seventh in the series, will be held from June 23 to 27 at the Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre here.On Halal Malaysia Week, Noharuddin said the event was a joint undertaking of three parties comprising Matrade, Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) and Kasehdia Sdn Bhd.The event from June 21 to 27 is a combination of three major events comprising MIHAS 2010, World Halal Research Summit and World Halal Forum 2010."Halal Malaysia Week is an excellent example of public-private sector initiatives to provide supportive platforms to showcase Malaysia's halal industry," he said.Halal Malaysia Week will begin with World Halal Forum 2010 organised by Kasehdia, to be held at KL Convention Centre from June 21 and 22.Kasehdia's founder and managing director Jumaatun Azmi said the forum, now in its fifth consecutive year, is the undisputed premier global halal industry event, bringing together over a thousand business leaders and stakeholders from over 50 countries.The theme for this year is "State of the Industry: Market Access and International Trade".On the third World Halal Research Summit which will be on June 23 and 24, HDC chief executive officer Datuk Jamil Bidin said the international conference will provide a platform for scientists, researchers, scholars and academicians to meet, discuss and exchange ideas on new research findings, emerging technologies, trends, issues and challenges in the global halal industry.Apart from the latest issues in halal research, the conference also aims to provide the participations with the latest updates in the development of strategies, new technologies, emerging trends, product innovation and best practices.-- BERNAMA