MIHAS 2024 Knowledge Hub Session Offers SMEs Strategies For Export Growth

The Knowledge Hub (KH) session organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2024 is crucial for local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in shaping their export strategies, as they often operate with a domestic focus and limited resources.

MATRADE chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz said the KH featured interactive and dynamic panel discussions.

“It is aimed at providing invaluable information, market insights, entry strategies, sourcing requirements, opportunities, challenges, and trends shaping the global halal market.

“This year, the sessions are curated to focus on driving trade with traditional markets like the United States, India, and Indonesia, as well as emerging markets such as Ireland, Turkey, New Zealand, and Kazakhstan,” he said during his keynote address at the KH session on Thursday.

The KH was a programme featuring four “meet the experts” panel sessions, moderated by prominent leaders from industry chambers and trade associations.

This one-day event was held on 19th September, 2024, in conjunction with MIHAS 2024.

The panels included distinguished panellists, premium buyers from selected countries, as well as Malaysian exporters who have successfully established a presence in international markets.

The KH interactive and dynamic sessions aimed to provide insights on sourcing requirements, opportunities, challenges, and the latest trends reshaping the global halal market.

One of the panellists, Chua Hock Tee, the chief executive officer of Omni Mal Agencies Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian company, shared his experience, citing his dealings with dates, or "kurma" in Malaysia.

“It is difficult to sell dates to consumers, who are unfamiliar with the fruit. To build market awareness, Omni Mal Agencies participated in key exhibitions, collaborated with local influencers, and emphasised the health benefits of our low-glycemic date syrup,” he said at the event. Chua added that his company entered duty-free market to overcome tax issues and stressed the importance of educating consumers and building strong relationships to succeed in unfamiliar markets.

Another panellist, Pinky Lee, a sourcing manager from CEC International Holdings, a Hong Kong company operating a retail chain called 759 Store, said that to understand demand in a city like Hong Kong, it is best to start by discussing its demographics.

“In Hong Kong, people are conscious of their health. They prefer products that are free of MSG, added sugar, and hormones in proteins. They also value products that offer convenience, such as ready-to-eat or easily consumable items,” she said at the event.

She doesn't see significant hurdles for Malaysian products entering the Hong Kong market, as the people there are accustomed to a wide range of flavours, whether Malay, Chinese, or Indian.

“To succeed in supplying products to Hong Kong, I would suggest initially introducing your original and best-selling flavours to test the market. Once there is consistent demand, investing in new flavours and updated packaging will help your products survive in this competitive market,” she added.

She also highlighted the importance of investing in online marketing, as we now live in a globalised world where online efforts are visible to consumers everywhere.

MIHAS 2024 is organised by MATRADE and the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). The event is managed by Qube Integrated Malaysia Sdn Bhd.