KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's export of halal products has been growing steadily by between RM4 billion and RM5 billion per annum, said International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

He said the export in 2015 was RM39 billion against RM35 billion in 2014, a significant increase from RM24 billion in 2011.

"There has been a steady increase since 2011 and the annual growth of between RM4 billion and RM5 billion is what the government expects.

"The top export markets for halal products over the years have been China, Singapore, US, Indonesia, Japan and Thailand," Mustapa told reporters at the press conference on the World Halal Week here today.

Since Tuesday, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corp has arranged pre-arranged business-matching sessions, International Sourcing Programme (INSP), involving 391 foreign buyers from 40 countries and over 600 Malaysian-registered companies.

"The number of buyers is 27 per cent higher compared to last year and the preliminary sale recorded was close to RM480 million for various products and services including food and beverages and cosmetics," said Mustapa.

He said combined with the Malaysian International Halal Showcase (MIHAS), INSP has become an important annual meeting place for the international halal players.

Eighty-nine companies from ASEAN and 78 companies from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation are present at MIHAS this year, with Bulgaria and Romania making their debuts.

The World Halal Week 2016 is held from March 28 to April 2, 2016 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

-- BERNAMA