MALAYSIA: Mara Expects Entrepreneurs to Record RM5 Million Sales at Halfest 2011

Its Deputy Director General (Entrepreneur) Mohd Rosdi Ismail said a total of 155 booths have been allocated for Mara entrepreneurs involved in areas such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, nutrition and clothing.

"Their involvement will strengthen the capability to participate actively in the local Halal industry and then internationally," he told Bernama here today.

The five-day event, at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), is being held to strengthen and stimulate the local Halal industry for the export market.

Mohd Rosdi said the most important thing is for the entrepreneurs to have an opportunity to interact with end users to obtain bad or good feedback pertaining to their products or services.

He said Halfest will help evolve competent companies while encouraging entrepreneurs to improve on their infrastructure and production capabilities to capture the local market first.

"Halfest is essential for our entrepreneurs to assess their achievements and encourage them to develop a higher level of competency," he added.

Mohd Rosdi said some of the entrepreneurs participating in the Halfest, are also operating at Mara's Entrepreneurs Product Manufacturing Park in Negeri Sembilan, the Food Industry Complex in Batu Caves and the Halal Hub in Pulau Indah, Selangor.

During the Halfest, Mara will recognise outstanding entrepreneurs in five categories - corporate, techno-entrepreneurs, retail, manufacturing and contractor.

The "Mara Entrepreneur Award" will be presented at the Gala Dinner Halfest during the event.

All these initiatives are part of the Mara Strategic Framework 2011-2020 to improve Mara's role in aiding, training and guiding Bumiputera's in the areas of business and industry, Mohd Rosdi said.