THE 9TH PENANG INTERNATIONAL HALAL EXPO & CONFERENCE (PIHEC)

SPEECH BY CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF 
THE 9TH PENANG INTERNATIONAL HALAL EXPO & CONFERENCE (PIHEC)

28 JANUARY 2018
SPICE ARENA, PENANG

Welcome to the 9th Penang International Halal Expo & Conference (PIHEC) here at the sPICE Arena. To representatives from Japan, Korea, China, Pakistan and our neighbours Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore, “Selamat Datang” to all of you.

Starting with only 84 booths (97 exhibiting companies) in 2010, the number of booths for PIHEC have increased steadily to 134 booths (124 companies) in 2011, 167 booths (167 companies) in 2012, 170 booths (124 companies) in 2013 and 257 booths (201 companies) in 2014, 307 booths (224 companies) in 2015, 326 booths (329 companies) in 2016 and 330 (296 companies) of local and international participants recorded last year.

Today, we have registered 285 booths (302 companies) comprising local and international business and industry players. The theme for this year’s 9th event installment of “Creativity & Innovation” augurs well towards putting Penang on the global Halal map.

Since the Halal initiatives started in 2009, the State of Penang has drawn an influx of over RM400 million Halal capital investment growth from tenant (companies) in the Penang Halal Industrial Park’s 1st Phase (100-acre) land. These are export-ready businesses manufacturing frozen (marine) products, coffee and beverages, bakery, herbal extracts, soya-based food and confectionaires.

Moving forward, the 2nd Phase of the Park, also with 100 acres (North Zone) is now in progress with industries investing more than RM230 million worth of capital with full business operations by the end of this year.

The 5th Penang International Halal Chef Challenge (PIHCC) is a regular highlight of PIHEC 2018 garnering gastronomic arts display ranging from amateur to maestros with renowned international judges.

The State Government’s policy of Competency, Accountability & Transparency (CAT) shares the same core values of Islamic practices and helps the development of the Halal industry.

I would like to thank the organizers, resource persons and everyone involved in making the 9th edition of Penang International Halal Expo & Conference (2018) as the region’s prominent international Halal event.

Thank you.