Malaysia Launches Initiatives to Lead Global Halal Economy

Malaysia is shifting its economic strategy from being merely halal-certified to becoming halal-competitive to capture a global market projected to reach USD5 trillion. During the World Halal Business Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Zulkifli Hasan, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department for Religious Affairs, urged the nation to move beyond local readiness to become global champions through increased commercialization and international market access. He also proposed the creation of an ASEAN Halal Council to transform Southeast Asia into an integrated global trade and production hub.

Concurrent with these policy shifts, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is hosting the 22nd Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) in Kuala Lumpur. The event features 1,700 exhibitors from 58 countries and aims to attract 50,000 business visitors. To support this growth, MATRADE and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) signed a Letter of Intent to establish the Halal Development Officer Programme, which will utilize MATRADE officers worldwide to promote the national halal ecosystem and drive exports.

Strategic commercial agreements were also finalized to expand the sector's reach. The Halal Development Corporation Berhad partnered with King's Park Development Sdn Bhd to strengthen the halal ecosystem, while Tradewinds (M) Berhad signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia's Tanmiah Food Company to explore halal protein opportunities across Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific region. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi officiated the Global Halal Showcase, a platform hosted by JAKIM for halal diplomacy and governance.