MIHAS@SHANGHAI RECORDS RM1.24 BLN IN SALES VALUE FROM NOV 5-7 -- AHMAD ZAHID

From Mohd Hisham Abdul Rafar

SHANGHAI, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia International Halal Showcase in Shanghai (MIHAS@Shanghai), held in conjunction with the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE), has recorded a total sales of RM1.24 billion since Nov 5. 

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the target is to reach at least RM3 billion in the remaining three days of the exhibition, which ends on Nov 10. 

“However, I am confident that we have three more days, and God willing, we will be able to achieve (the target),” he said during a press conference at the end of his four-day working visit to China here today. 

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, is here at the invitation of the Chinese government to attend the CIIE, which is held at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre (NECC). 

CIIE is a Chinese government initiative that provides a platform for countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative to promote and export goods and services to China. 

Ahmad Zahid said the MIHAS@Shanghai total sales were achieved through three main components, namely the International Sourcing Programme (INSP) worth RM651.8 million, exhibitions (RM271 million), and a memorandum of understanding (RM315.3 million).

He said 43 per cent of sales revenue comprised pre-packaged food products, with palm oil-based products (16 per cent), beverages (12 per cent), agricultural products (10 per cent) and Islamic financial services (5 per cent). 

Ahmad Zahid said the most important aspect in penetrating the Chinese market is the ability to create demand from premium and non-premium buyers.

“This effort should be carried out continuously, not only through business-to-business and business matching systems, but also via online methods,” he said.

MIHAS@Shanghai 2025 is the second edition of MIHAS held abroad, following the success of MIHAS@Dubai last year.

Ahmad Zahid said the current participation involving micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) has been a huge success, marking Malaysia’s sixth participation in the CIIE.

He emphasised the need to bolster follow-up and follow-through actions after the exhibition, not only by MATRADE but by the entrepreneurs themselves.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid also congratulated the Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Malaysia for its achievement at CIIE, noting that RM29 million in sales had been recorded so far. 

-- BERNAMA