PENANG’s food story is no longer confined to taste and tradition, but is rapidly evolving into a globally competitive ecosystem, as the FoodPreneur Expo 2025 opened today at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre.
Officiating the two-day expo, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow congratulated Foodicious Sdn Bhd for organising the inaugural event, describing it as a timely platform that exposes both existing and aspiring entrepreneurs to the opportunities and challenges within the food and beverage (F&B) sector.
“The F&B sector is attractive to startups and even homemakers because entry barriers are relatively lower, and Penang already has a strong ecosystem.
“But for startups especially, it is important to understand the challenges, business models and scalability of products, and platforms like this help to provide that exposure,” he said in his speech.
Chow said Penang’s food culture has long enjoyed international recognition, recalling his recent visit to Japan, where he witnessed people using chopsticks to eat roti canai.
“When I was in Japan for the World Expo, I saw people eating roti canai with chopsticks.
“They were curious, asking where the food came from and how it was made. That reminded me that Penang food has a strong global appeal,” he said.
He added that Penang today is also experiencing a shift in food culture, from the now-familiar “beratur” or lining-up culture to a deeper interest among locals and tourists in the origins, stories and value behind the food they consume.
“People do not just eat anymore. They ask questions. This shows that Penang is not only known for food, but for having a good food ecosystem,” he said.
Chow stressed that food entrepreneurship is part of the creative economy under Penang2030, involving not just cooking, but branding, packaging, certification, logistics and digital marketing.
“FoodPreneur Expo, together with the Foodpreneur Global Summit and Foodpreneur LAB, brings ideas, franchising and OEM business models, industry sharing and agency support under one roof.
“This is how creativity is translated into viable businesses and how a complete ecosystem is built,” he said, adding that it could also benefit the wider northern region,” he said.
A major focus of Chow’s remarks was the halal sector, which he described as a significant growth opportunity that local entrepreneurs must actively pursue.
“Products with halal certification automatically enjoy access to a much larger market.
“The global halal market is not just in Malaysia, but across Southeast Asia, China, Central Asia, Europe and even the United States,” he said.
He noted that Malaysia has a competitive advantage, being internationally recognised for its credible halal certification system, and urged local entrepreneurs to leverage this strength.
“If we do not seize these opportunities, others will.
“We are already seeing foreign brands expanding rapidly by embracing halal certification,” he said, citing a China-based ice cream franchise that has grown to over 100 outlets in Malaysia after securing halal status.
Responding to concerns over bureaucratic challenges in obtaining halal certification, Chow acknowledged that the process can be perceived as complex, but said this also presents opportunities within the supply chain.
“One factor that may slow the process is whether there are enough certified products and equipment in the market to support certification.
“Today, I saw an exhibitor offering halal-certified filtration systems. This shows how niche areas can be filled by entrepreneurs to strengthen the overall supply chain,” he added.
He said as the halal ecosystem matures, more opportunities will open up for businesses supplying machinery, ingredients, packaging and support services.
“We cannot remain where we are. With government agencies, banks and financial institutions already in place to support, it is now up to entrepreneurs and their associations to work together to move this sector forward,” he said.
Chow also expressed hope that the Foodpreneur platform could be anchored in Penang on a long-term basis, creating a sustainable ecosystem that continuously supports entrepreneurs.
“If we do this right, Penang will not only be famous for food, but known as a place where creative food businesses and niche services thrive,” he said.
The opening ceremony also saw the presentation of tokens of appreciation to representatives from Penang Halal International (PHI), MATRADE, Pernas, Jakim, Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Pulau Pinang, Panaxy Group Sdn Bhd, Zhongtou Alliance, Guizhou Hejiang Culture Media, and the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, reflecting strong local and international collaboration.
The FoodPreneur Expo 2025 runs until Dec 18, bringing together foodpreneurs, exhibitors and industry players from Malaysia and abroad, reinforcing Penang’s ambition to become a regional and global hub for food entrepreneurship.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Muhammad Iqbal Hamdan
Video by Alissala Thian