Growing Demand For Malaysian Handicraft, Food In Foreign Markets

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 (Bernama) -- The local handicraft and food sectors have great potential for expansion in international and local markets as a result of growing number of tourists visiting the country. Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Hamim Samuri said the positive performance registered by the handicraft sector is linked to the influx of tourists to the country. "In the food sector, we see high demand of halal products due to the large number of Muslims in the world," he told Bernama after visiting an appetiser producer and a handicraft factory in Batu Caves here Thursday. According to a Tourism Ministry's report in collaboration with the Immigration Department, 9.26 million tourists visited Malaysia in the first four months of this year compared with 8.43 million in the corresponding period last year. Meanwhile, Hamim said the International Trade and Industry Ministry and SME Corporation Malaysia were working hand in hand to raise awareness among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on the merits of the Goods and Services Tax. Earlier, Hamim visited an appetiser producer, KHM Food Industries Sdn Bhd and a handicraft and pewter producer, D'or Rue Sdn Bhd. -- BERNAMA