PRESS RELEASE

OFFICIAL LAUNCH

MAHA INTERNATIONAL 2010 IN MAEPS, SERDANG

The Ministry of Agriculture &Agrobased Industries in collaboration with the Federation of

Agriculture Marketing Authority (FAMA) and MARDITECH Corporation SdnBhdonce again

organized the Malaysian Agriculture Horticulture and Agrotourism International Show or better

known as MAHA International 2010. The show was opened to the public on the 26 th of

November 2010 and was officially launched by Prime Minister YB Datuk Seri NajibTunRazak, on

the 27th of November 2010 at the show’s site in Serdang, known as Malaysia Agro-Exposition

Park (MAEPS). Also in attendance was YB Datuk Seri Noh bin Omar, Minister of Agriculture

&Agrobased Industries, Deputy Minister of Agriculture &Agrobased Industries, YB Dato’

MohdJohari bin Baharomand YB Mr. Chua Tee Yong, YBhg. DatoMohdHashim bin Abdullah,

Chief Secretary of Agriculture &Agrobased Industries, TuanHjMohamad bin Dolmat, Chairman,

NationalFishermen’s Association (NEKMAT).

MAHA International 2010 is the 7th edition of the show and it’s the third time the show is being

held in its current permanent site, MAEPS. The show will run for 10 days beginning on the 26 th

of November 2010 to the 5th of December 2010.MAHA is alsoheldsimultaneouslywith National

Farmers, Stockmen and Fishermen Day celebrationsor HPPNK. HPPNK is the Government’s

show of respect and appreciation of the farmers, stockmen, fishermen as wellas

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agroentrepreneurs of Malaysia in recognition of theirsacrifice and effort in meeting the

country’s food and agriculturalneeds, locally and for exportpurposes.

This year’s MAHA International/ HPPNK 2010’s theme is ”Agricultural Innovation for Growth” is

in line with the Government and our Prime Minister’s call to make 2010 the year for innovation.

The Prime Minister in his speech reiterated that innovation and research and development

would play a key role in transforming the country into a high-income nation while paving the

way for increased added value in every economic sector. In this context, the agricultural sector

is not left behind in its efforts by ensuring that the agricultural transformation is more dynamic

and steady. R&D and innovation in the agricultural sector is based on industry demand

compared to research and higher institutions, which are offer based.

The public-private sector partnership will be upgraded to execute planned R&D and innovation

based on a strategy to provide a conducive environment that stimulates creativity and

innovation where a formal platform based on e-network will be created to merge the research,

higher education, training and agricultural support services functions. In addition to this,

optimum production, transfer and commercialization of R&D that is more efficient will be

implemented.

Based on this reasons, the Ministry introduced “Agricultural Innovation For Growth” as this

year’s theme for MAHA International and HPPNK 2010 as a source of encouragement and to

depict the abundance of opportunity in the national agricultural sector.

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MAHA International 2010 will showcase 22 countries occupying2500 booths. These include

participation from Europe, Latin America, China, India, Australia and a few countries from the

Arab league and the Middle East. Visitors will be treated to various fresh produce, processed

food, livestock, machinery and the latest innovations in the agricultural field.

Visitors will also be given the opportunity to witness various demonstrations in the fields of

livestock, vegetation, floriculture, rice, machinery and pineapple.Various activities and product

exhibition will be on display on each of the thirteen state pavilions. Each pavilion will exhibit the

respective state’s produce. Seminars in relation to agriculture and livestock breeding will be

conducted throughout MAHA International 2010.

MAHA International 2010 is expected to follow through on the successes of MAHA 2006 and

MAHA 2008,which were recorded in the Malaysian Book of Records. Based on the success of

MAHA 2008, the ministry is confident that the target of 1.5 million visitors and the RM15

million in sales will be reached. On the first day of MAHA International 2010, the show received

50,000 visitors up until 1 pm.To ensure that the show runs smoothly and for the comfort of the

visitors, the organizers have provided 7000 parking lots; and trams to ferry visitors to the

exhibition sites.

MAHA International 2010 is open to public and trade from 10 am to 10 pm. Admission is free.