Rasmussen

KAHULUI – The Maui Food Technology Center (MFTC) and County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development seek local food businesses interested in participating in the 41st International Food and Beverage Exhibition, “FoodEx Japan.”

Considered the largest food trade show in Asia, the event will be held on March 8-11, 2016 in Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan.

Interested businesses are encouraged to attend an informational meeting on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Maui County Business Resource Center located in Maui Mall (across from Pizza Hut).

To register, and/or for more information, e-mail info@mauifoodtechnology.org or call (888) 948-6382.

Selected businesses will receive assistance from the County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and MFTC.

Preference will be given to companies who are export ready and have products with marketing potential. Products must be produced and/or manufactured in Maui County.

Each year, FoodEx Japan attracts more than 77,000 domestic and international buyers. In 2015, the show had 2,975 exhibitors from around the world in 3,500 booths.

Earlier this month, the County of Maui and MFTC brought seven local companies to the 80th Tokyo International Gift Show.

The largest international trade show in Japan, the Tokyo International Gift Show drew over 200,000 domestic and international buyers over the three-day period.

“We’re very pleased to be able to provide these major wholesale opportunities for our island’s businesses,” said Teena Rasmussen, director of the Office of Economic Development.

“Not only do these trade shows assist our local companies in establishing and/or expanding their export sales to the Far East, but it also helps promote our Maui brand to thousands of people around the globe.”