adminTASEK GELUGOR, June 23 (Bernama) — The Penang Regional Development Authority (PERDA) expects over 75,000 visitors to attend the three-day PERDA Expo (EXPERT) 2026 to be held at Midtown PERDA, Kubang Menerong, from Oct 2-4.
Its chairman, Datuk Dr Shaik Hussein Mydin, said EXPERT 2026, themed ‘Halal Synergy: Empowering Entrepreneurs, Driving the Economy’, is expected to bring together over 200 exhibitors from various business sectors, with a target sales value and contract acquisition of over RM2 million.
“The organisation of EXPERT 2026 aims to promote the products of entrepreneurs, particularly those in the rural areas in the state, in addition to providing a wider marketing platform and business network.
“The expo will serve as a centralised and comprehensive promotional platform to allow Bumiputera entrepreneurs to introduce their products and services to a bigger market. At last year’s expo, we achieved over RM3 million in sales, so we hope to do much better this time,” he told reporters after the pre-launch of the EXPERT 2026 Midtown PERDA here today.
Also present were Penang Rural Development, Agro Technology, Food Security and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman Datuk Rashidi Zinol, who is also PERDA deputy chairman, and PERDA general manager Datuk Mohd Asri Baharum.
Shaik Hussein said EXPERT 2026 will also provide a meeting platform for entrepreneurs and companies or supermarkets through business-matching activities to broaden their networks for marketing products and services.
He added that EXPERT 2026 will also focus on empowering halal products by creating a network of entrepreneurs with halal certificates, both in Malaysia and abroad, while expanding market access through the Global Hala Marketplace platform.
“The Yang Dipertua Negeri of Penang, Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, is scheduled to launch the fifth edition of EXPERT 2026,” he said.
Shaik Hussein said that PERDA is strengthening its strategic cooperation with neighbouring countries, including Indonesia and Thailand, to attract global participation and open up import and export market opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
According to him, the expo will feature various business clusters, including food and beverage, services, agriculture and agro-food, automotive, cosmetics and self-care, health products, handicraft and the creative industry.
“EXPERT 2026 is also being packaged as an inclusive initiative targeting the participation of various levels of the community events, such as women’s programme, family activities, book carnival, Agro MADANI sales and educational activities.
“These programmes are expected to attract more visitors and have a positive social and economic impact on the local community,” he said.
Shaik Hussein said visitors will also be treated to performances by popular and contemporary artistes, featuring religious elements, and light entertainment nightly throughout the three-day expo.
Meanwhile, he said exhibition site sales will open on June 29, both online and in person, at the PERDA headquarters, with prices starting from RM120 to RM1,500.
“PERDA is responding to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s call to reduce booth prices by offering a 20 per cent discount on the booth rental rates to our entrepreneurs to ensure they get to participate in this year’s expo,” he said.
He said the organisation of EXPERT 2026 is the result of collaboration among various Federal and state government departments and agencies, private companies and associations in a bid to strengthen entrepreneurial development and expand the marketing network of entrepreneurs.
— BERNAMA
