PENANG GOVT WELCOMES COLLABORATION TO ORGANISE CARNIVAL

KEPALA BATAS, March 24 (Bernama) -- The Penang government, through Penang Halal International (PHI), has offered to collaborate with Mahabbah Carnival to organise a bigger event at the state level.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid said the collaboration would not only bring together more entrepreneurs but also provide a bigger space for the entrepreneurs to promote their products, thus increasing marketing opportunities to a higher level.

“Apart from PHI, we also have zakat entrepreneurs under the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP), the Penang Bumiputera Development Council and the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) ) of the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM), with whom we can also collaborate.

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“With this collaboration, we can get people to kick-start their entrepreneurial activity through this Mahabbah Carnival,” he told reporters after opening the Mahabbah Ramadan Syawal Carnival at Bertam Square here, last night.

Mohamad said through such a collaboration, the carnival could be held twice a year.

He said a meeting would be held with the organisers of the Mahabbah Carnival to discuss further the proposal.

 “We can do one (carnival) with PHI, like the Penang International Halal Trade Expo (PIHEX) as previously organised but this time, it would be organised in collaboration with the Mahabbah Carnival.

“We can have another mega event, with MAINPP and the Bumiputera Development Council as a marketing platform for entrepreneurs.

“As such, those who do not yet have a halal certificate, they can quickly apply so they can market their products not only locally but also internationally,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Mahabbah Carnival organiser Zaini Aboo Hassan welcomed the proposed collaboration and hoped that discussions could be held to realise it.

He said the ongoing carnival received an extraordinary response since the first day it opened on March 2, recording about 200,000 visitors.

"We are targeting 500,000 visitors by March 30, which is the last day,” he said, adding that 350 traders participated in this year's carnival.

They come from all over Malaysia, offering various products and services, he added.

-- BERNAMA