MIHAS 2026

@ Halal | May-June. 2026

• Malaysia International Halal Showcase 2026 is targeting RM4.5 billion in sales as global businesses seek more resilient and trusted trade ecosystems

amid geopolitical uncertainty.

• Malaysia is positioning the halal industry as a strategic economic pillar under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, with ambitions to achieve

RM80 billion in halal exports.

• MIHAS 2026 will combine physical exhibitions, AI-powered trade facilitation, international buyer programmes and inclusive initiatives

such as Women in Export( WiEX) to strengthen Malaysia’ s global halal leadership.

That ambition will take centre stage at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase 2026, where organisers are targeting RM4.5 billion in overall sales this year, reflecting growing confidence in the resilience and long-term potential of the global halal economy.

The target marks an increase from last year’ s RM4.3 billion and signals Malaysia’ s determination to strengthen its position as one of the world’ s leading halal trade and export hubs.

Organised by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, MIHAS 2026 will take place at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre on Sep 23-26.

More than 2,300 exhibitors from over 50 countries are expected to participate, reaffirming the event’ s standing as one of the largest halalfocused trade showcases globally.

But beyond the exhibition halls and commercial transactions, this year’ s event arrives at a critical moment for global business.

The international trading environment has become increasingly uncertain. Ongoing geopolitical conflicts, economic fragmentation, inflationary pressures and disruptions to logistics networks are forcing companies to rethink how they build supply chains, secure market access, and maintain commercial continuity.

For many businesses, resilience has become as important as growth.

This broader global reality is reflected in the theme of MIHAS 2026—“ Shaping Trust, Driving Resilience.”

According to MATRADE chief executive officer Abu Bakar Yusof, the higher sales target reflects both the challenges and opportunities emerging from the current global landscape.

“ The prior year, our sales target was RM4.3 billion, but this year, taking into account global geopolitical events and global crises, we aim

PRESENTING GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES: The soft launch of the 22nd Malaysia International Halal Showcase 2026 highlights Malaysia’ s ambitions to strengthen halal trade and global market access.

for RM4.5 billion in overall sales,” he said during the MIHAS 2026 pre-launch.

His remarks underline how Malaysia increasingly sees the halal economy not merely as a niche market, but as a strategic trade ecosystem capable of offering reliability and trusted standards in uncertain times.

Over the years, the halal sector has evolved far beyond its traditional association with food and beverages. Today, it encompasses pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, healthcare, logistics, Islamic finance, modest fashion, tourism and digital services.

As global consumers place greater emphasis on ethical sourcing, quality assurance, safety and traceability, halal certification is also gaining wider acceptance beyond Muslimmajority markets.

MIHAS 2026 is expected to reflect this evolution.

The exhibition will integrate physical and digital engagement tools, including artificial intelligence( AI)-powered trade facilitation systems designed to improve business matching and generate stronger commercial outcomes.

The increasing use of AI at trade exhibitions also signals that digital transformation is reshaping international commerce, enabling exporters and buyers to identify opportunities more efficiently across borders.

To further strengthen international business engagement, the event will host 200 international buyers under the International Sourcing Programme( INSP), alongside 50 premium buyers through the Hosted Buyer Programme.

At the same time, 600 Malaysian exporters will be featured through MIHAS Showcase initiatives, highlighting local capabilities across various halal industry segments.

One notable addition this year is Women in Export( WiEX), a new initiative aimed at expanding the role of women entrepreneurs in international trade.

Although women-owned businesses account for approximately 20 per cent of Malaysia’ s small and medium enterprises( SMEs), their export participation remains limited.

WiEX is expected to provide greater market exposure, networking opportunities and export access for women-led enterprises seeking to scale internationally.

The initiative also reflects a broader push toward inclusive economic participation within Malaysia’ s halal development agenda.

Meanwhile, the government continues to position the halal sector as a strategic pillar of national economic transformation.

Bahria Mohd Tamil, Deputy Secretary-General( Investment and Management) of the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, said the halal industry is now viewed as far more than simply a contributor to economic growth.

“ As Malaysia begins the 13th Malaysia Plan( 13MP), the halal industry is now a strategic enabler of economic transformation rather than just a contributor to growth,” she said.

Under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, Malaysia is targeting RM80 billion in halal exports while strengthening innovation, industrial resilience and international competitiveness.

In many ways, MIHAS 2026 represents more than a trade exhibition.

It reflects Malaysia’ s broader effort to position trust, certification credibility and supply chain resilience as competitive advantages in an increasingly fragmented global economy.

For businesses seeking stable partnerships and dependable trade ecosystems, MIHAS may increasingly become a gateway not only to the halal market but also to the future direction of global commerce itself.-