Penang: Penang is targeting total sales of RM250,000 at the Melaka International Halal Festival 2025 (MIHF’25), scheduled from Oct 16 to 19, through the participation of 18 Bumiputera entrepreneurs from the state.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid said this was their first time participating in the festival, with seven of the entrepreneurs being asnaf under the Zakat Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP).
‘All participants are small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs who have obtained JAKIM (the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) halal certification through the Halal Management Division of the Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAINPP).
‘The products showcased include food, spices and health products. We are confident that, with their quality and halal certification, they will meet the total sales target of RM250,000 during the festival,’ he said at the sending-off of the Penang Bumiputera Entrepreneur Delegation to MIHF’25 at Dewan al-Ansar, Masjid al-Muhajirin, Seberang Jaya here today.
He said that the festival, which saw participation from foreign countries including ASEAN nations, provided the best platform for Penang entrepreneurs to promote their products and tap into the international market.
Meanwhile, Mohamad, who is also the State Islamic Religious Development, Education, Higher Education and Community Unity Committee chairman, said that Penang currently has 1,700 entrepreneurs, including non-Bumiputera, with halal certification, ranking the state third highest in Malaysia after Selangor and Johor.
‘As of last September, we have received more than 800 new applications for halal certification, with Bumiputera participation increasing by almost 30 per cent,’ he said.
Therefore, Mohamad hoped that more entrepreneurs would apply for halal certification to enhance their competitiveness in the international market.
MIHF’25, to be held at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC), Ayer Keroh, is expected to bring together 450 exhibitors and attract more than 500,000 visitors.