03-07-2025
Sarawak-made gluten-free sago cookies featured at Fine Food NZ 2025
Hafidz (standing, back row second right) joins the participants in a photo, taken during the exhibition in Auckland. Also seen are (standing, second row sixth right) Salbiah, Mazita, and Abdul Rashid.
MIRI (July 3): Malaysia continues to make strides in exploring international markets as eight local companies participated in Fine Food New Zealand 2025, the largest biennial food trade exhibition in the Oceania region, held in Auckland from June 29 to July 1.
Among the participants was IANA Corporation Sdn Bhd, the sole representative from Sarawak, which showcased gluten-free cookies made from sago flour ― a product jointly formulated with CRAUN Research Sdn Bhd.
Sharing his experience, IANA Corporation Sdn Bhd managing director Mohd Hafidz Rohani said Malaysia's involvement in the event opened up new opportunities for collaboration with local importers and distributors, particularly in the health-based and food innovation segments.
Hafidz, who also serves as chairman of the Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Chamber (DUBS) Miri, said the Malaysian exhibitors represented a wide spectrum of the food industry, including durian and pineapple products, ready-to-eat sambal, canned beverages, health items, fisheries products, and gluten-free foods.
All participants were part of the Malaysian delegation under Pavilion Malaysia, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) in collaboration with the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA).
Oceania, with a population exceeding 50 million people and a growing ASEAN community, presents strong potential for Malaysian companies to establish a foothold in the regional market.
This sentiment was echoed by Malaysia's High Commissioner to New Zealand, Mazita Marzuki, during the opening of Pavilion Malaysia at the exhibition.
The Malaysia–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (MNZFTA), in force since 2010, has further facilitated the entry of Malaysian products into the New Zealand market.
Hafidz said that the participation reflected the continued commitment of government agencies and industry players to expand the global reach of Malaysian products through high-impact trade platforms.
The launch event was also attended by FAMA director-general Abdul Rashid Bahri and Perak State Executive Councillor for Women's Development, Family, Community Welfare, Entrepreneurs, and Cooperatives, Datuk Salbiah Mohamed. craun research Fine Food New Zealand 2025 gluten-free sago cookies
