SA companies eager to impress at Malaysian EXPO
Two Gauteng-based businesspeople currently participating at the 18th Malaysia International Halaal Showcase (MIHAS) say they are eager to show off the best of what South Africa has to offer when it comes to ready prepared meals and healthy cost-effective food products. The two were already preparing to meet distributors and investors during the four-day showcase that kicked off in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today.
MIHAS attracts over 9 000 trade delegations from more than 43 countries, making it one of the most important industry meeting places in the halaal calendar. Leading suppliers from across the globe participate at MIHAS to showcase their latest agro inventions, innovations and products, but more importantly to build leads, network and do business.
Speaking in South Africa’s national pavillion this morning, the Managing Director of Tulisa Park Blue Shirt Bakery, Mr Gys Oliver said it had been a tough two years for everyone in the world, and that he could not wait to represent the country internationally again and showcasing his company’s products to the world.
“It is such a privilege to represent this amazing country of ours and show the world what we have to offer in regards to a range of our quality products. These platforms have also helped to drive awareness about the kind of support that companies like ours receive from government in order to help grow our sales and expand our footprint. These exhibitions also enable us gather information about the local market with the aim of penetrating it,” said Oliver.
He added that there was a gap in the market for healthy cost-effective food products and that they would like to explore more international market opportunities that they could potentially take advantage of.
Another South African businessperson, Mr Zakariya Docrat, who is the Sales Director of the pizzaNEWS Factory, said as the first-time international exhibitor, MIHAS would benefit and assist them to enter new markets where demand for his products is high.
“An expo like this which provides for hybrid attendance offers an opportunity for us increase our reach and allow us access to people who we may not be able to attend in person to view our products at our display at the trade exhibition. The Covid-19 pandemic has severely disrupted global consumption, forcing people to unlearn old habits and adopt new ones. The pandemic has also caused people to stay at home more, which has resulted in an increase in the demand for ready-made meals, as well as an increased sensitivity towards food that is prepared outside,” said Docrat.
Docrat explained that the company was formed as a response to an increased necessity for convenience meals, and the need for a halaal supplier in the local industry and in future on international markets.
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Western Cape Honeybush Tea Company Hopes to Woo Buyers and Investors in Malaysia
The Director of Kaukou Honeybush Tea Company, Mr Theo Adams says the Western Cape-based firm is seeking to woo buyers and investors to their their honeybush tea during the 18th Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) scheduled to take place in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur from 07-10 September 2022. The company received support from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) through its Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) Scheme to participate in the showcase.
MIHAS attracts over 9 000 trade delegations from more than 43 countries, making it one of the most important industry meeting places in the halal calendar. Leading suppliers from across the globe participate at MIHAS to showcase their latest agro inventions, innovations and products, but more importantly to build leads, network and do business.
“We are proud producers of honeybush tea and proteas on our Herold Meander farm situated halfway between George and Oudtshoorn just north of the Outeniqua Mountains. Our honeybush tea is regionally sold and our objective is to distribute it nationally and internationally. We want to expand to other regions, especially Asia, hence our participation in MIHAS,” says Adams.
This will be the company’s first international physical expo with the dtic and their goal is to make sure they maximise on the platform and opportunity provided by the department.
“We have previously participated in the Dubai World Expo 2020 virtual exhibition and the Black Industrialist and Exporters Conference. MIHAS will be our first international exhibition that we will attend in person. We hope to identify clients in the halal industry that would be interested in our herbal honeybush tea that is indigenous to South Africa,” he says.
Established in 2018, the company employs 18 permanent and temporary workers seasonally.
“Honeybush tea is an indigenous product and naturally grows on southern slopes in the Garden Route. The tea has huge potential for growth and job creation in the rural areas. We decided to produce and process honeybush tea as it will add substantial value to the natural and indigenous plant,” he adds.
the dtic has over the years assisted hundreds of businesses through its EMIA scheme. The scheme develops export markets for South African products and services.
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South Africa Halaal Body to Tap on Malaysia Expo for Export Opportunities
The South African National Halaal Authority (SANHA) says the organisation will be looking for export opportunities and new markets for its more than 3 000 member companies when they participate in the 18thMalaysia International Halaal Showcase (MIHAS) scheduled to take place in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur from 07-10 September 2022.
MIHAS attracts over 9 000 trade delegations from more than 43 countries, making MIHAS one of the most important industry meeting places in the Halaal calendar. Leading suppliers from across the globe participate at MIHAS to showcase their latest agro inventions, innovations and products, but more importantly to build leads, network and do business.
According to the Theological Director of SANHA, Mr Moulana Navlakhi, the South African economy is in contraction and only through tapping on such opportunities in the global Halaal market can contribute increasing export revenue which in turn will support local industries and budding entrepreneurs.
“By networking with potential buyers, we can support our members by offering their product options which are of a high quality, yet reasonably priced, and most importantly with Halaal integrity that we can personally vouch for. In addition to promoting our Halaal certified companies as has been done over the years, we are also facilitating the distribution of their company brochures and marketing material. We have also embarked on our initiative of creating a South African Food Directory wherein buyers will have access across the spectrum of Halaal certified industries in South Africa,” says Navlakhi.
He adds that they have participated in approximately 15 exhibitions organised by the dtic over the years in which they have promoted the South African Halaal industry and networked with companies interested in purchasing Halaal certified products from South Africa.
“We also noted the positive impact face-to-face interaction has compared to online digital marketing. When attending Halaal expos like MIHAS, our presence provides assurance to buyers on the products Halaal integrity. We also find that the on-site support to our certified clients adds tremendous value and provides reassurance to buyers. Such expos are also an opportunity to meet with other Halaal certification bodies and share the South African experience of Halaal which is almost 50 years old,” he says.
The organisation which was formed in 1996 has a head office in Durban, whilst their operation office is in Johannesburg, and with a branch office in Cape Town.
The companies participating at MIHAS received financial support from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) Export Marketing and Investment Assistance Scheme (EMIA) to showcase products at the event. The scheme develops export markets for South African products and services.
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Agro-Processing Companies to Showcase Proudly South African Products in Malaysia
Businesses from different provinces in the agro-processing sector will get an opportunity to showcase their proudly South African products during the 18thMalaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur from 07-10 September 2022.
The companies participating at MIHAS have been assisted by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) through its Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) Scheme to showcase products at the event. The aim of the scheme is to develop export markets for South African products and services and to recruit new foreign direct investment into the country.
The Halal Showcase will provide an opportunity for South African companies in the agro-processing sector to expand their exports and make inroads into the South East-Asian region. MIHAS will also expose South African companies to real export opportunities and allow them an opportunity to network with other businesspeople from Malaysian in particular, and from the South East Asian region in general.
Malaysia is one of South Africa’s key partners within the sub-region in terms of trade and investments. Trade between the two countries has significantly increased from over R18 billion in 2020 to more than R21 billion in 2021, making Malaysia a trade country of interest to South African products and investors.
South Africa’s participation in MIHAS in previous editions yielded positive results for the sector, and the SA products made a significant impact across the entire global value chains.
MIHAS attracts over 9 000 trade delegations from more than 43 countries, making it one of the most important industry meeting places in the halal calendar. Leading suppliers from across the globe participate at MIHAS to showcase their latest agro inventions, innovations and products, but more importantly to build leads, network and do business.
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For media enquiries, please speak to:
Bongani Lukhele – Director: Media Relations
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition
Tel: (012) 394 1643
Mobile: 079 5083 457
WhatsApp: 074 2998 512
E-mail: BLukhele@thedtic.gov.za