Strategic Insights from Taipei Food Show Drive Export Growth Vision

Sabah’s agricultural and halal sectors possess significant potential for accelerating export growth through strategic adoption of advanced technologies and collaborative partnerships targeting regional and Muslim-majority markets, according to Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce Sabah leadership following their participation in the 2025 Taipei International Food Show.

Learning from Taiwan’s Sophisticated Food Industry Model

MCCC Sabah Deputy President Kapitan Dr Callee Tan observed that Taiwan’s food industry approach, characterized by strong brand integration, technical innovation, and professional exhibition standards, offers valuable lessons for Sabah’s small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to strengthen their market reach and export capabilities.

The delegation, which visited the exhibition from June 25-28 under President Datuk Dexter Lau’s leadership, included key chamber representatives focusing on business development and women entrepreneurship initiatives.

International Exhibitions as Global Integration Catalysts

Dr Tan emphasized that international exhibitions like the Taipei Food Show function beyond mere knowledge-sharing platforms, serving as catalysts for integrating Sabah into global supply chains while building confidence among the local business community.

The exhibition represented the largest in its history, featuring 1,700 companies and 4,500 booths from 33 countries, providing extensive networking and learning opportunities for the Sabah representatives.

Focus on Advanced Food Technologies and Halal Development

During their visit, the Sabah delegation engaged extensively with international exhibitors, concentrating on several key areas: food processing technology, halal product developments, smart packaging innovations, and cross-border e-commerce solutions.

These focus areas align directly with Sabah’s strategic goals of expanding halal-certified product exports and enhancing technological capabilities within the agricultural and food processing sectors.

Global Market Engagement and Industry Insights

The delegation’s interactions with exhibitors from major markets including Japan, Australia, South Korea, and Singapore provided crucial insights into global industry trends and opportunities for Sabah’s food sector development.

Particularly noteworthy was their engagement with the USA Pavilion, which featured over 80 companies specializing in cold chain logistics and health nutrition products, offering potential partnerships and technology transfer opportunities.

Strengthening Malaysia-Taiwan Bilateral Cooperation

The initiative reflects a strategic step toward strengthening Malaysia-Taiwan bilateral cooperation in food and halal industries, positioning Sabah as a competitive, export-focused food production center within the regional market.

This approach aligns with broader Malaysian economic development goals of diversifying export markets and enhancing value-added agricultural production.

Supporting Member Enterprise Expansion

The visit reinforces Sabah MCCC’s commitment to supporting member enterprises in expanding their regional and global presence through exposure to international best practices and networking opportunities.

The chamber’s delegation included diverse representation from Committee Member Benny Hon, Women Entrepreneurs Committee representatives Lanice Ng and Winnie Liu, members William Chang, Molly Moo Li, and Kenneth Liau, along with former leadership including Vice President Michael Pan and WEC Deputy Chairperson Mary Pang.

This comprehensive approach to international engagement demonstrates Sabah’s commitment to leveraging technology, partnerships, and strategic positioning to unlock the significant export potential within its halal and agricultural sectors.

Original Article:

Daily Express Malaysia. (2025, August 20). Tech collabs unlock halal sector potential. Daily Express Malaysia. https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/264886/tech-collabs-unlock-halal-sector-potential/