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Selangor looks forward to trade prospects in F&B industry and beyond
The SIAL Interfood 2022 food and beverages (F&B) exhibition on Nov. 9-12 at JIEXPO Kemayoran, Jakarta, attracted more than 750 companies from over 27 countries.
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he SIAL Interfood 2022 food and beverages (F&B) exhibition on Nov. 9-12 at JIEXPO Kemayoran, Jakarta, attracted more than 750 companies from over 27 countries. The public event not only drew the attention of food and drink aficionados and professionals in the culinary industry, but also potential buyers looking to import and export products through business matchmaking sessions.
Malaysia has had a long and amicable relationship with Indonesia, especially in trade. This year, the state-owned investment agency, Invest Selangor, visited SIAL Interfood 2022 in search of potential buyers and distributors as well as to visit Malaysian exhibitors participating in the show. As F & B is one of its core industries, Invest Selangor is optimistic the F&B sector will continue to grow and help the state forge further working relationships with Indonesia.
Some of the companies that participated have previously joined the recent Selangor International Expo (F&B) 2022, which was held from 6-9 October 2022. They include frozen-food and sambal-producer Sixteen Twentynine that is aiming to expand its catalog to salted chips.
“We understand that the Indonesian market is much bigger compared to the Malaysian market. That’s why we encourage Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to focus beyond the Malaysian market, which is ASEAN,” said CEO Invest Selangor, Dato’ Hasan Azhari Bin Hj. Idris.
“By participating in this event, Malaysian F&B exhibitors will have the opportunity to understand the Indonesian market profile better. It also helps them understand the rules and regulations [before entering the market],” he added.
In particular, halal compliance is a main focus of the Selangor F&B industry. However, Malaysian exporters often face hurdles in complying with the mandatory halal-certification requirements posed by the Indonesian Ulema Council Assessment Institute (MUI).
“In Malaysia, the halal compliance for the F&B industry is under the purview of the Malaysian Islamic Development Departments [Jakim] at the federal level. Therefore, I believe Jakim has done the steps necessary to resolve issues with MUI. Through the many discussions we’ve held with the MUI, we hope that both parties can reach an agreement so products can circulate in both markets without barriers,” added Dato’ Hassan.
As Selangor looks forward to positive returns in the F&B industry, other sectors are also seeing signs of recovery as the pandemic draws to a close. Last month, 60 countries participated at the Selangor International Business Summit 2022 from Oct. 6-9, resulting in a total trade transaction of US$300 million from 380 buyers -- 99 of them international.
Comprising six main events, the summit largely promoted Selangor’s life-sciences and pharmaceutical industries, smart city and digital solutions and a new industrial zone. Invest Selangor is especially keen on promoting the growing sectors to Indonesian companies and government agencies.
“Next year, we are planning to invite mayors and [regencies] from various Indonesian regions such as Bandung, [West Java]; Jakarta; and Surabaya, [East Java], as speakers. It would be a good opportunity to connect with governmental bodies and potential investors to showcase the value proposition of our programs, whether it’s in manufacturing or services,” Dato’ Hassan concluded.
