KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 – More than 1,830 food entrepreneurs have benefited from two government grants amounting to RM62.8 million.
The grants given out from 2016 until June this year, is basically to nurture competitive food brands capable of expanding into regional and global markets.
The first grant for RM26.1 million benefited 188 entrepreneurs under the High Impact Product (HIP) Matching Grant Programme. More than 1,640 entrepreneurs gained from the second grant for RM36.7 million under the Change Upgrade Product (CUP) Matching Grant.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Chan Foong Hin said, the initiatives support food entrepreneurs in improving product quality, increasing production capacity and strengthening food safety standards.
“They also help upgrade packaging and branding, as well as obtain internationally recognised certifications,” he said on Thursday in his speech at the launching ceremony of the Malaysian International Food and Beverage Exhibition (MIFB) 2026, which is being held from July 15 to 17.
Chan said the programmes reflect the government’s commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s downstream agri-food ecosystem through various initiatives that help entrepreneurs scale up, innovate and compete.
“More importantly, MIFB enables Malaysian brands to showcase their capabilities, strengthen their presence across the value chain, and accelerate their journey towards becoming export ready enterprises,” he said.
He said MIFB continues to play a vital role as a business to business trade exhibition that brings together trade buyers, sourcing professionals, distributors and solution providers from across the value chain.
The exhibition has evolved into a strategic platform that supports industry transformation, where innovation is translated into scalable solutions and businesses are empowered to move up the value chain, he added.
Chan said Malaysia must continue strengthening its food ecosystem amid climate uncertainties, shifting consumption patterns and ongoing supply chain disruptions.
“In today’s rapidly evolving global landscape, the importance of building a secure, resilient and future ready food ecosystem has never been more critical,” he said.
Meanwhile, One International Group Chief Executive Officer Roger Lim said MIFB 2026 is targeting between 15,000 and 16,000 visitors, compared with about 12,000 visitors recorded at last year’s edition.
He said the exhibition features more than 600 exhibitors from over 90 countries, serving as a regional trade and networking platform for the food and beverage (F&B) industry.