@Halal Sept/Oct 2019 | Page 27

27 september-october. 2019 | @Halal A visitor receiving a free sample of ice-cream from one of the Halfest exhibitors. Festival for halal reaches new grounds The biggest halal business gathering in Malaysia reaches international participations H alal food galore! HALFEST JAKIM was hosted by the Prime Minister’s Depart- ment and organised by the Department for Islamic Development (JAKIM). Fea- turing more than 450 exhibition booths, the five-day event done in Mines International Exhibition & Convention Centre (MIECC) featured local halal products and produces. The expo was focused on the promotion of local halal products to consumers and trad- ers alike. The event was launched by the Deputy Prime Minister, Dato Seri Wan Azizah Dr Wan Ismail accompanied by a Minister from the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Mujahid bin Yusof. The event aimed to strengthen the local halal industry in Malaysia. “Through this expo, institutions involved are able to exhibit their halal prod- ucts and services to the public. I believe the halal industries in Malaysia has the capa- bility to expand and penetrate the global market in the near future,” said the deputy prime minister. An effort to maintain the halal ecosystem that has been practised by local businesses regardless of the owner’s religion or race. In addition, it is organised to raise the aware- ness towards the importance of obtaining the JAKIM’s halal approval. With this, smaller halal entrepreneurs are given a platform to strengthen their position in the market, having a fair share of chance with the bigger industries available in Malaysia. The expo was attended by more than 80,000 guests which consisted of consum- ers and business owners looking to expand their business with the same interest and working towards a common goal (B2B). The event featured a wide array of products from food, manufacturing equipment, cosmetics, tourism, banking and other services that fol- lows the Islamic guideline of business and conduct.