KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- Halal Ingredients Asia 2015, touted as Asia's first event platform for halal food and personal care ingredients industry, opened its doors on Monday.

The three-day event represents the region's best gathering and market place for halal ingredient professionals and industry players in providing thought leadership to further accelerate and enhance the development of the industry.

Halal Development Corp (HDC) Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin, said the event would focus on several components to give a whole new perspective and opportunities via a conference, exhibition and business-to-business (B2B) networking.

"It will also enhance opportunities for trade and investment as well as for local halal ingredient players to be exposed to international buyers," he told the media on the sidelines of the event opened by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi here.

Jamil said the manufacturers, distributors and suppliers would discover a wealth of opportunities in their interactions at the event taking place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

The event, hosted by HDC together with the International Trade and Industry Ministry, has attracted some 50 ingredient companies which will showcase their products and related services linked to the halal industry.

Jamil said the conference portion of the show gathered some 30 international halal experts and approximately 200 delegates from around the world to meet and unite by addressing issues on supply and demand of halal ingredients.

"B2B networking sessions are being organised for delegates and exhibitors to create new business relationships and further expand existing businesses," he said.

Halal ingredients refer to halal-compliant raw materials or commodities, substances or component in the form of finished and semi finished products, made from permissible sources that could be found in finished consumers goods.

They include emulsifiers, flavorings and anti-caking agents.

-- BERNAMA