GEORGE TOWN (Feb 27): More than 300 local and international industry players are expected to participate in the 10th Penang International Halal Expo and Conference (PIHEC) from March 1-3.

Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, the State’s Local and International Trade and Industry, Entrepreneurship Development and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman said participants would range from producers to retailers from various sectors, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, logistics, technology, e-commerce service, banking and Islamic finance.

Themed, “Digitalisation and The Halal Industry”, the three-day event will feature new products and services as well as business and industry seminars, while expected to draw more then 50,000 visitors.

“The expo will be held at the SPICE Convention Centre, while the conference will be at the Olive Tree Hotel on Saturday,” said Abdul Halim in a statement today.

He said apart from local participants, the expo would also feature international exhibitors from Indonesia, Thailand and Japan, adding, trade and industry delegations from Thailand, Taiwan and Dubai were also expected at the event.

The highlight of the event would be the Global Blockchain Halal Industry Forum 2019 — a strategic platform for industry players to understand the impact and usage of blockchain technology in the industry.

Meanwhile, Abdul Halim, who is also the Halal Penang chairman, said the “Halal Healthcare & Wellness Towards Future Sustainability” conference would focus on raising awareness of the importance of halal healthcare.

The event is expected to be officiated by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow this Friday.