THE Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti) is optimistic that Malaysia will maintain its export value for halal products at RM7.8 billion in the second quarter this year.

Its minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the country’s halal export activity has shown steady growth over the years despite global economic uncertainties.

“Although our overall export activity is impacted by the global economic slowdown of late, I believe halal exports will, at least, maintain its growth momentum if not improve its total value in the second quarter,” he said at the soft launch of Halal Fiesta Malaysia 2013 (Halfest 2013), here, yesterday.

Mustapa added that the halal export value for the second quarter will be announced by early October.

Malaysia’s halal exports rose by 0.5 per cent in the first quarter of this year to RM7.8 billion, from RM7.7 billion recorded in the corresponding period last year.

Halal exports contributed 4.6 per cent to the country’s total export value for the first quarter, he said.

“Multinational companies remained the biggest contributors to the country’s halal exports which stood at 72 per cent, or RM4.1 billion,” he said.

Mustapa said 3,237 halal certificates had been issued to manufacturers, premises and slaughterhouses as of April this year, of which 748 are exporters.

Halfest 2013, jointly organised by Halal Industry Development Corp (HDC) and Majlis Amanah Rakyat, is expected to rake in RM30 million in sales compared with RM25 million secured from the last instalment.

“A business matching session during the exhibition, to be conducted by HDC, will help the organiser achieve the target,” Mustapa said.
  A total of 570 exhibitors will take part in the five-day exhibition to be held at the Mines Exhibition Centre, starting October 2. It is expected to attract some 70,000 visitors.