Speech for TYT

To the Almighty, Allah Subhanahu Wa taala, I humbly express my praise and gratitude for it is with his grace that I am able to address you this morning at the launch of the 5th MALAYSIA INTERNATIONAL HALAL SHOWCASE 2008 here in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Today is indeed a morning of opportunity. An opportunity for us to meet and network and I hope that this occasion will also open new doors of trade between all of us here. I am honoured and most heartened to be together with such an important crowd who are united in their objective to move the halal industry. podium Now is the time we should prepare for this market seriously and take advantage of a competitive free market economy. Within the ASEAN region, a fast developing halal food production industry is being positioned to supply the lucrative market. This is where MIHAS comes in to energise the halal market by bringing together as many halal industry players as possible under one roof.

MIHAS can be seen as a positive way to strengthen halal trade within our neighbouring countries itself and at the same time boost the intra-ASEAN trade and economy. In times when the world questions the state of the
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economy, this is a positive way for the ASEAN halal industry players to solidify their stand. After all, halal products are consumables that are deemed as necessary by Muslims.

In line with our vision to bring MIHAS to the world, the theme for MIHAS 2008 is Bridging the Global Halal Market and we hope to do just that. MIHAS is also here to encourage the development of the local halal industry and lifestyle.

Being an international trade fair, MIHAS is not about selling Malaysian halal certified products only. It has a bigger reach. Its first goal is to cover the primary market which is the ASEAN market and the global Muslim market. In catering for the ASEAN market we are reaching out to more than 250 million Muslims. If we are able to meet this demand; I believe it will be a matter of time before we reach our second goal which is to supply halal certified products beyond the Muslim market.

Here at this juncture I would like to call on Indonesia to capitalise on MIHAS in terms of building networks and establishing trade connections with the specific countries that are participating in MIHAS especially those from the Middle Eastern countries such as Iran and Turkey.

MIHAS this year will be staged from May 7 to 11 at the MATRADE Exhibition and Convention Centre. We have registered almost x no of booths so far and we hope to see participation from Indonesia again this year, hopefully in larger numbers!