KUALA LUMPUR: The 13th Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas 2016) raked in RM1.14 billion in total sales, up 4% from last year's RM1.1 billion.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Malaysia External Trade and Development Corp (Matrade) said the sales were generated from the event's two main components - the International Sourcing Programme (INSP) and the four-day trade show.

It said the INSP's one-on-one business meetings on March 29 attracted 581 foreign buyers representing 391 companies from 40 countries who participated in 4,372 meetings with 619 Malaysian exporters.

The food and beverage sector recorded the highest sales at INSP with RM365.12 million, representing 76.3% of total sales, while the non-food product sector comprisng healthcare, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics posted RM108.99 million sales (22.8%), said Matrade.

"Major products sourced were coffee, tea and cocoa, snacks, cosmetics, coconut products, confectionery, chocolates and candies with China, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Japan and (South) Korea being the highest sales generating countries," it said.

For the exhibition, held from March 30 to April 2, the beverages cluster recorded the highest sales of RM132.24 million, representing 21.5%, followed by processed  and ready-to-eat products (RM82.91 million) and herbal and  healthcare products (RM75.52 million), it said.

Exhibitors from Malaysia generated RM552.75 million sales followed by those from Indonesia (RM30.34 million), Taiwan (RM26.68 million), Thailand (RM24.10 million) and China (RM14.14 million).

Matrade chief executive officer Datuk Dzulkifli Mahmud said the trade promotion agency is committed to promoting Malaysian halal products and services in global markets.

"With great interest from Muslim and non-Muslim countries in the halal industry, the time has come for Malaysian companies to expand their horizons and leverage on Malaysia's status as the pioneer in the halal economy through trade events such as Mihas," he said.

Mihas 2016 attracted 316 Malaysian companies and 227 international firms from 29 countries with China, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan and South Africa having the highest number of exhibitors.

The event received a total 22,027 visitors comprising local and international companies, associations and foreign delegations. - Bernama