SHANGHAI, Nov 7 — 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 from Wednesday.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the target is to reach at least RM3 billion in the remaining three days of the exhibition, which ends November 10.
“I am confident as 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.
Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, is here at the invitation of the Chinese government to the CIIE here.
The CIIE is a Beijing initiative that provides a platform for countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative to promote and export goods and services to China.
Zahid said Mihas@Shanghai sales were achieved through three components — 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, the rest being palm oil-based products (16 per cent), beverages (12 per cent), agricultural products (10 per cent), and Islamic financial services (5 per cent).
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 online,” he said.
Mihas@Shanghai is the second edition of Mihas held abroad, following the success of Mihas@Dubai last year.
Zahid said the current edition involving micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) has been a huge success, and marks Malaysia’s sixth time at the CIIE.
He emphasised the need to boost follow-ups and follow-throughs after the show, not just by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), but by entrepreneurs themselves.
Meanwhile, Zahid also congratulated the Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Malaysia for its achievement at the CIIE, noting that RM29 million in sales had been recorded so far.
