LOCAL NEWS

@ Halal | May-June. 2026

The latest boost comes through a commitment by global retail chain Lulu Hypermarket to purchase and market halal products from Majlis Amanah Rakyat( MARA) entrepreneurs, worth US $ 100 million( approximately RM470 million), for the international market, which begins Jul 1.

While the figure itself is significant, the bigger implication lies in the market access. Breaking into international shelves remains one of the largest barriers to entry, especially for small and medium halal businesses.

Through Lulu Hypermarket ' s extensive presence, particularly across the Middle East, local entrepreneurs are expected to gain direct entry into markets that have traditionally been difficult to penetrate independently.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi described the initiative as part of a wider strategy to elevate Bumiputera entrepreneurs ' participation in the global halal industry and support them beyond domestic demand into export-oriented growth.

Lulu Group owner Yusuff Ali conveyed the commitment during a recent meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and this comes as Malaysia continues

OPENING NEW DOORS: Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi speaks on advancing and supporting MARA entrepreneurs through international halal market opportunities.

to strengthen its position in the global halal market. This highgrowth sector extends beyond food into lifestyle, services, and manufacturing.

Supported by rising international opportunities, Ahmad Zahid has also raised expectations for MARA ' s global halal ambitions. He targeted more than RM1 billion in international halal sales potential next year.

The target builds on encouraging momentum, with MARA entrepreneurs already recording RM819 million in potential sales transactions on international platforms this year, displaying increasing readiness among local businesses to expand abroad.

To support this growth, the newly launched MARA Halal Ecosystem seeks to establish a more comprehensive support structure through training, certification, financing, and infrastructure to strengthen entrepreneur competitiveness.

As part of the effort, MARA aims to produce an additional 30 halal executives and 30 internal halal auditors to improve technical support and guidance to entrepreneurs.

The event also saw collaboration efforts expanded through a Memorandum of Understanding( MoU) between MARA and Maybank Islamic Berhad, and a Letter of Intent( LOI) to the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia( JAKIM), in an effort to strengthen halal competency development and certification support.

AS global supply chains face mounting disruptions, halal compliance is increasingly becoming a question of commitment and consistency rather than certification alone.

For food manufacturers, halal standards must be met along with ensuring consistency across sourcing, production and distribution in order to maintain consumer trust.

Against this backdrop, Nestle Malaysia Bhd is strengthening its halal ecosystem through a broader, more robust supply chain strategy aimed at solidifying long-term stability and compliance.

The company said years of preparation have allowed it to withstand supply chain uncertainties without compromising halal standards.

Nestle Malaysia Bhd Chief Executive Officer Juan Aranols said contingency measures, including alternative sourcing strategies, had already been incorporated within the company ' s operations to minimise disruption risks.

" Among the preparations is having alternative supply sources to ensure we have options if there are any disruptions that would occur," he said during the launch of Synergy( Strengthening Your Network and Ecosystem for Resilient Growth) Halal Nestle Malaysia, with the collaboration of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia( JAKIM).

For Nestle Malaysia, halal compliance extends beyond operational requirements. In a market such as Malaysia, where halal assurance plays a critical role in consumer confidence, maintaining standards is closely tied to brand credibility and public trust.

Rather than viewing halal as a commercial obligation, the company positions it as a core business responsibility. One that influences every stage of its value chain, from certified manufacturing facilities to supplier relationships.

The collaboration with JAKIM also reflects wider industry efforts to strengthen Malaysia ' s halal ecosystem through education, supply chain development, and capacity building.

According to JAKIM Halal Management Division Director Muhyidin Aziz @ Saari, a trusted halal ecosystem can only be achieved through sustained collaboration between regulators, industry players, and the wider community.

Nestle Malaysia said the initiative forms part of its broader strategy to support local halal industry development while strengthening supply chain resilience. Beyond its own operations, the company aims to deepen ecosystem partnerships that empower youth, support entrepreneurs, and reinforce domestic halal capabilities.-