Malaysian companies under the national trade promotion agency, MATRADE is all set to participate in the world’s largest F&B show, Gulfood in Dubai, from 13 to 17 Feb 2022. A total of 67 Malaysian companies will take centre stage at the event. Palm oil-based products, ready-to-eat meals, food ingredients, beverages, confectionary, sauces and paste, snacks, bakery items, and healthy and organic foods are among the Malaysian products to be presented at the trade show.
Malaysia’s efforts to build competencies in the Halal industry can be traced back over many years. Malaysian Halal certification is globally recognised and to date, has been proudly labelled by manufacturers that seek to cater to the Muslim market. Malaysian food products are widely accepted in this part of the world because of its stringent standards and high quality.
For the first 11 months of 2021, Malaysia’s exports of processed food to the GCC region had increased by 13.3% to reach USD303.3 million and the UAE was Malaysia’s 2nd largest export destination in the region last year with 37.4% of the region’s share. “The strong acceptance for Malaysian’s F&B products, demand for new products in the UAE and increasing consumer awareness in the region for healthy and functional food contributed to the sterling trade performance,” according to Mr Remee Yaakub, Director of Halal, F&B and Agro-based Section at MATRADE.
Malaysia’s participation in Gulfood attempts to bring attention to the global buyers at the event, especially from the MENA region, to the wide variety of high-quality products offered by key Malaysian companies. “Being the global leader in the Halal economy and sustaining the top position in the Global Islamic Economic Indicators (GIEI) for eight consecutive year, MATRADE will be promoting Malaysia’s strengths in Halal as there is currently an increase in demand for Halal products in the region and beyond,” Remee said.
In September 2022, Malaysia will be hosting the 18th edition of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) in Hybrid format, reaffirming its position as the world’s largest Halal show by bringing together halal players worldwide. Companies from the MENA region are encouraged to take advantage of this global congregation.