M’sia-Xi’an Halal Food Festival aims to woo over 100,000 visitors

0

AIMING HIGH: MOA secretary-general Datuk Mohd Hashim Abdullah is seen talking to one of a Malaysian entrepreneur when paid a visit to the exhibition booths at the second Malaysia-Xi’an Halal Food Festival. The second Malaysia-Xi’an Halal Food Festival aims to attract over 100,000 visitors to its 12-day exhibition beginning Friday. — Bernama photo

XI’AN: The second Malaysia-Xi’an Halal Food Festival aims to attract over 100,000 visitors to its 12-day exhibition beginning Friday.

Last year, some 50,000 visitors visited the exihibition, said Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry (MOA) secretary-general Datuk Mohd Hashim Abdullah.

He said 35 Malaysian entrepreneurs and 20 from Lian Hu district are participating in the exhibition.

Only 20 Malaysian entrepreneurs showcased their products and services last year, he told Bernama after the opening of the festival at Muslim Street here Sunday evening.

The festival aims to promote Malaysia’s cuisines, diverse cultures and introduce the vast business opportunities in Malaysia.

“This year, we managed to bring in more products, including Malaysian fruits like jackfruits, durians and pineapples for this exhibition.

“The Xi’an Municipal Council Office granted us approval earlier,” he said.

Muslims are the biggest ethnic group in Xi’an, with about 50,000 of the 81,500 people living in this province. Meanwhile, Chinese visitors were attracted to Malaysian foods showcased at the exhibition here.

Chen Caiyan, a 36-year-old tour guide expressed her excitement over the diversity of Malaysian foods displayed at the exhibition.

“I first tried Malaysian white coffee in 2003 and as more tourists from Asean countries visited Xi’an in the past few years, many of my tour guests would bring me some white coffee,” she said.

Besides white coffee, Chen also bought a few packets of sauce pastes, bottles of chilli sauce and fillets.

Liu Xilin, a 56-year-old housewife, said she loved fried durian (blend with  flour, durian and glutinous rice) when she tried it at the exhibition. — Bernama

“I’ve eaten durian before but not in the fried form, this is very special and it smells good too,” she added. — Bernama