KUALA LUMPUR — Several Vietnamese firms are participating at the 15th Malaysia International Halal Showcase 2018 in Kuala Lumpur. 

They include Hanoi Trade Corporation (Hapro), Trung Nguyên Coffee, Lộc Trời Group and Asia Fish Oil Corporation, an affiliate of Sao Mai Group.

Nguyễn Tiến Dũng, deputy director of Lộc Trời Group’s Food Trade Department, said his company would pay more attention to exploring the halal food market due to its huge potential.

He said it was the first time the company had joined the event to market products and seek potential partners.

In future, when Malaysia loosens import regulations, his company could supply the market with quality halal rice products, he said.

Hapro Deputy Executive Director Nguyễn Thu Hường said halal products current made up 20 per cent of the company’s exports, adding the figure was likely to increase in the time to come as Hapro had always taken the initiative to participate in international exhibitions on halal food.

Nearly 800 companies from 41 countries are taking part in the event, which will conclude on Saturday. More than half of the participants are from Malaysia, followed by India, Thailand, Indonesia, Iran and China. On display are food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, financial and tourism products as well as e-commerce and logistics services.

During the event, consumers from ASEAN and the Middle East will learn about Lộc Trời’s products, especially japonica and jasmine rice, Trung Nguyên coffee, cashew nuts, pepper, beans, cinnamon and anise.

The global halal food market is expected to reach US$739.59 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc.

The industry is expected to witness significant growth until then owing to increasing Muslim population and their substantially increasing expenditure on food and non-beverages, which is considered the main driving force of the halal market, the report says. — VNS