@ green | November-December , 2020

17th MIHAS to spur two-prong push for global halal economy

Development Corporation ( MATRADE ) has announced the return of the 17th Malaysia International Halal Showcase ( MIHAS ), on Sept 9-12 , 2021 , at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre ( MITEC ), Kuala Lumpur .

Organised by MATRADE under the patronage of Ministry of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia , MIHAS is the largest halal trade event of its kind in the world .

MATRADE ’ s Chief Executive Officer , Datuk Wan Latiff Wan Musa , highlighted that Malaysia had long established a leading position as a global halal player .

“ We also see opportunities driven by accelerated digitisation and changing consumer behaviours in the new normal and new world economy ,” said Wan Latiff .

“ The 17th MIHAS will place special emphasis on the agenda of helping local and international players look to innovation and sustainable initiatives to spearhead steady growth for the halal economy .”

Aptly themed , “ Empowering Halal , Tomorrow , Together ”, the 17th MIHAS will serve as a timely opportunity for the industry to empower themselves in accelerating future growth through partnership , cooperation and collaboration .

The Covid-19 global pandemic has shifted mindsets and ways of doing business which requires new business models .

MIHAS will act as the overarching umbrella platform for halal businesses to cultivate resiliency , creativity and

Themed “ Empowering Halal , Tomorrow , Together ”, the 17th MIHAS is returning to empower the global halal economy by accelerating future growth through partnership , cooperation and collaboration .

MIHAS , a highvalue halal sourcing platform , set to cement Malaysia ’ s leading position in the global halal economy . adaptability to succeed in a ‘ new normal ’ business landscape .

Additionally , this marquee halal trade event aims to further expand Malaysia ’ s halal economy agenda , steering the country towards the era of Industry 4.0 and fortify its role as the global halal hub .

“ As the largest gathering of halal manufacturers , service providers , inventors , policymakers , financiers and investors , MIHAS is a robust marketplace for both international and local players .

“ They should seize opportunities beyond halal food including halal pharmaceutical , medical devices , finance , modest fashion , personal care and cosmetics , green technologies and even Muslimfriendly tourism .

“ MATRADE is committed to providing Malaysian companies greater access to the international markets ,” added Wan Latiff .

In addition , MATRADE announced the appointment of Qube Integrated Malaysia

Sdn Bhd as the official event organiser for MIHAS for a period of five years , from 2021 to 2025 .

Commenting on the appointment , Richard Teo , Group Managing Director of Qube Integrated Malaysia , said : “ Malaysia is well on its way to becoming the heart of the global halal economy .

“ Qube Integrated Malaysia is proud to be given the opportunity to support MATRADE in strengthening Malaysia ’ s leadership in the halal economy to the world .

“ We are backed by a team of passionate event specialists dedicated to curate a platform for businesses in the halal sector , from heavy-weight players , entrepreneurs , investors to young startups .”

The main highlights of the 17th MIHAS are interactive displays , live demos , workshops , online networking sessions and a series of business matching opportunities .

It will serve its role as a high-value halal sourcing platform that helps existing businesses expand into new areas , and to nurture young players by focusing on sustainable partnerships .

The Islamic economy is a two-trilliondollar market opportunity across a range of lifestyle products and services . It is projected to grow to US $ 3.2 trillion by 2024 .

MIHAS has successfully attracted the attendance of over 404,000 participants including exhibitors , visitors and halal services companies from more than 90 countries since its inception in 2004 .

The event has generated over RM17.2 billion in business leads since it first started in 2004 . — @ green

BiON Group of Companies ( BiON ) signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) with SiriM Tech Venture Sdn . Bhd . ( STV ) on Nov 19 , 2020 as witnessed by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority ( MIDA ) in strengthening and promoting the growth of bio-energy ecosystem .

The MoU aims to develop potentials in commercialisation of “ Waste to Energy ” ( WTE ) activities in ensuring sustainable waste management in the country . The MOU is a testament to MIDA ’ s efforts in promoting investment activities which are supportive to the sustainable development goals in Malaysia .

MIDA through its Domestic Investment Coordination Platform ( DICP ) unit has coordinated with BiON and STV in business to business ( B2B ) meetings to realise the establishment of a technical cooperation between the two companies .

This collaboration includes the distribution of gas energy through a Virtual Pipeline System ( VPS ) and the establishment of a bio-energy hub to monetise agricultural and industrial waste . Pilot tests will also be conducted on the production of Bio Natural Gas ( BioNG ) from existing biogas power plants and on other projects related to WTE in Malaysia and abroad .

The CEO of MIDA , Datuk Azman

Mahmud ( pix ) told Bernama : “ The collaboration brings together key local and international players from the bio-energy value chain to explore the opportunities and challenges as well as to chart the way forward for this industry .

“ MIDA continues to provide the impetus for domestic and foreign direct investors in expanding their business portfolios and accelerate investments despites the challenging time due to the COVID-19 pandemic .”

BiON has positioned itself as one of Malaysia ’ s most established wasteto-energy solutions providers and independent power producer ( IPP ) through the construction , operation and ownership of four biogas power plants which provide electricity to the Malaysian National Grid under the Feed-in-Tariff ( FiT ) system .

While it is the only company with biogas power plants operating two different systems in generating power through the treatment of palm oil mill effluent ( POME ), BiON is also one of the only few fully-integrated service providers and operators in the country .

Over the last 40 years , the principal operating company of the Group , BiON Sdn . Bhd . ( BSB ) has delivered numerous projects throughout Asia , including a World Bank funded project and a series of biogas capture facilities for FGV Palm Industries Sdn Bhd ( FPI ), a subsidiary of FGV Holdings Bhd ( FGV ) which is the world ’ s largest crude palm oil producer .

In supporting the biogas industry in Malaysia , SiriM Tech Ventures Sdn . Bhd . ( STV ), a wholly owned commercialisation arm of SiriM Berhad assumes a significant role in accelerating business commercialisation .

Recently , STV has launched an integrated commercialisation platform known as TECH Ecosystem to encapsulate an effective ecosystem given the Technology Readiness Level ( TRL ), a methodology to determine technology maturity during the product development cycle . — @ green