MIHAS is an annual trade fair designed to bring together the world's goods, products and services that are halal-compliant. The fair is usually held in the 2nd quarter of the year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
MIHAS is hosted by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), and organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), and jointly organised with the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development (MECD) and the Islamic Dakwah Foundation Malaysia (YADIM).
MIHAS has two primary aims. The first is to showcase the strength and potential of global networking. What exists today is a loose fraternity of those engaged in furthering halal-compliant interests including the disparate marketing of goods, products and services.
MIHAS brings to the fore this sector of interested individuals and organisations that combined, would like to discover bigger markets, innovate through technology for the better presentation of halal products and services and lastly, improve the quality of life for small and medium sized entrepreneurs of halal goods and services.
The second is to expand the base on which MIHAS is built to include activities that can best accommodate the halal requirement factor.
Presently we have in place several MIHAS related products, such as the Halal certification process, the MIHAS trade fair that is held over five days, the World Halal Forum that is held in conjunction with the MIHAS trade fair, and the increasing number of business matching and meetings convened by MATRADE for the benefit of the participants.
From this growing base we aim to attract other likeminded creative organisations and investors who are able to visualise the potential and benefits of a halal-compliant industry regardless of boundaries.
MIHAS is open to trade visitors and the business community ONLY from 6 to 10 May 2009. Visitors on these 3 days must present their business card upon registration. However, from 9 to 10 May 2009, the exhibition is open to both trade visitors and the public.
There are some rules and regulations imposed on the visitors to ensure their safety:
1. Registration is compulsory for all visitors.
2. For safety precaution, visitors without registration passes or stickers are strictly not allowed inside the exhibition hall. Passes or stickers must be worn at all times inside the exhibition hall.
3. To ensure the quality of trade visitors to the expo, admission to the event is limited to 18 year olds and above from 6 - 10 May 2009.
4. All visitors must be in *proper business attire (no shorts, slippers and t-shirts) except on May 9-10, 2009 when the exhibition hall is open to the public.
5. The organiser reserves the right to refuse entry to any visitor at their own discretion, notwithstanding the possession of an official entry pass.
6. Scheduled FREE seminars will be subject to a first-come-first-serve basis
7. Absolutely no firearms or deadly weapons allowed inside the exhibition.
8. No product selling, distribution of leaflets, or any such activities will be allowed without prior approval of the organisers.
9. No outside food and drinks are allowed inside the exhibition hall. A cafeteria is located inside the exhibition hall.
10. No filming, recording and photography activity are allowed inside and outside the exhibition hall without any official approval from the organiser. For members of the media, it is advisable to fill in the Media Accreditation Form to obtain their passes.
11. Only visitors registered online shall proceed to the Pre-Registration Counter with the confirmation letter from the organiser.
12. The organisers reserve the right to change the exhibition rules and regulations without prior notice to ensure the overall success of the event.
13. The organisers will not be held responsible for any unfortunate incidents that happen to any individual, property, belongings etc before, during and after the event.
MIHAS specialises namely in food products but is not limited to it. This is because it takes into account the concept of halal production which includes elements that are beyond the standard processes of farm to table.
For 2009, MIHAS will expand to include a new category: Food Packaging, Machinery & Catering Equipment. Therefore, MIHAS 2009 will open its doors to exhibitors and traders interested in the acquisition of food processing machinery and packaging, including all devices, utensils, storage, displays and serving equipment certified suitable for the manufacture of halal foods.
Listed below are the categories that will be at MIHAS this year:
Halal Consumables
Food & beverages, meat, poultry, seafood products, halal certified organic products, raw food materials, food chemicals, emulsifiers and ingredients, additives, canned foods, processed and ready-to-eat products, preserved fruit and vegetable products, grains and nuts, agricultural & grocery products, chocolate and dairy products, confectionery, biscuits, pastries, snacks and candies, health supplements and multivitamins, pharmaceutical and herbal products.
Halal Certified Premises
Abattoirs, hotels and restaurants, catering services, fast food franchises, bakeries, delicatessens.
Non-Food Products & Services Perfumery, toiletries, cosmetics, body care.
Government Agencies & Associations Government Agencies, Islamic Development Bodies, Halal Certification Agencies, Food Research and Development Centres, Trade Development Agencies, Halal Parks.
From an overall perspective it is religion-driven as the halal factor is a core principle that is laid down in the Islamic faith and religion. This factor also serves and performs as bedrock guide for all emanating, ancillary and downstream activities.
However, the scope of potential activities and business opportunities may not only cover participants of the Islamic faith. Here it will be business driven. It can include others as long as they observe and fulfil the halal requirement in their products and services for sale to consumers around the world. MIHAS is primarily concerned with halal products regardless of race or country of origin.
The window of opportunity is open to all, both Muslim and non-Muslim participants.
The Muslim market is rapidly expanding. To date, it is estimated that there are a total of 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide . This is further enhanced by the population explosions forecast for the bigger Muslim countries around the world. In addition, the rising number of converts to the Islamic faith is also a contributing factor to the increasing demand for halal-compliant consumables and related activities and services.
Essentially the concept of halal is more encompassing and not strictly confined to the slaughtering of animals the Islamic way. The halal concept points the way to observing and maintaining cleanliness, hygiene and safety in the production process from beginning to finished product. Halal carries an infinite and core responsibility, the value of which benefits any human being or individual.
For MIHAS 2008 the event reaped RM183.5 million in immediate sales for the participants as a result of the business meetings and trade matching held over the two days. The next MIHAS promises to be even more lucrative making it a must for you to take a closer look at the MIHAS opportunity.
Lastly, on record the number of participants has been growing from year to year. When MIHAS was inaugurally launched the total number of local and international participants was 330. MIHAS 2008 attracted 507 companies and 96 international buyers from 26 countries. For a fledgling trade fair like MIHAS, now entering its fifth year, the increase in participants can be viewed as near phenomenal.
The benefits are many - from expanding your business and industrial network to securing positive sales to locating markets hitherto undiscovered and realising your potential for growth and progress vis-à-vis the halal context.
The estimated market for halal products is said to be more than RM2 billion a year, a market that is waiting to be tapped. MIHAS would like to assume this role of catalyst for those who are keen to tap this potential.
No, you don't have to be a Muslim or a Muslim organisation to participate. However MIHAS being a trade fair of goods, products and services that are halal, we will require you to first certify that your products are halal-compliant and that the official halal certification has been given or endorsed by a reputable body or agency.
MIHAS is like any other trade fair in format; the only difference is that it has chosen the halal factor as its theme and central objective.
There is an increasing awareness among manufacturers today, that the global halal market deserves valid study and poses merit for serious business consideration.
Regardless of race or origin of products, MIHAS would like to encourage those involved in the halal production of goods and services to take part in MIHAS 2008.
Yes, all products and services showcased at our five-day exhibition are required to be halal-certified to support our objective of increasing public awareness of the diversity and proliferation of halal goods and products waiting to be marketed around the world.
At this trade fair, entrepreneurs are able to gain insight into prospects of the halal market and industry.
Manufacturers are well aware that a valid halal certificate from an authorised body gives added value in many markets around the world.
In Malaysia there is a dedicated Halal Standard called MS 1500:2004. It was launched in 2005 and is the world's first such standard.
We anticipate that this Halal standard which is acceptable to the OIC member nations could well become the common halal standard for all.
This development will also facilitate and promote OIC trade by encouraging OIC food producers to manufacture halal products that confirm to world standards and quality for entry into world markets.
Currently JAKIM takes care of the certification and issuing of halal certificates to companies who wish to serve the Muslim market as well as for products that are designed for consumption by Muslims anywhere in the world.
MIHAS has been designed to incorporate an international focus from the outset. Malaysia being a frontrunner in establishing the halal requirement for its Muslim consumers, would like to share its expertise and knowledge in all aspects of the halal field.
MIHAS has been marketed as the most appropriate vehicle and platform for carrying out this function and objective to the rest of the Muslim ummah and global industry as well.
For the past three years of our establishments, MIHAS has received generally 18 participating countries every year. Some of the countries are Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, China, Iran, UAE, Netherlands, US and India.
You are welcome to contact us at the following numbers, website address for further guidance on registration procedures. Our MIHAS customer and client relations team will only be too pleased to assist you.
