FOREIGN NEWS

@ Halal | May-June. 2026

FUTURE MARKET POTENTIAL: Cambodia positions halal food processing as a strategic sector for investment and export growth.

The focus emerged during a May 11 meeting between Deputy

Prime Minister Sun Chanthol and Singapore Ambassador Steven Pang Chee Wee, during which Cambodia encouraged Singapore to expand investments in sectors with stronger export potential, particularly halal food processing.

Singapore already plays a major role in Cambodia ' s economic landscape. During the first quarter

of 2026, it ranked as the Kingdom ' s fourth-largest investor, accounting for US $ 2.5 billion in investments.

Bilateral trade also climbed to US $ 775.5 million between January and April, highlighting the growing economic ties between both countries.

Cambodia now appears keen to channel this momentum into more specialised industries capable of generating long-term value. Halal food processing, in particular, presents an opportunity to strengthen manufacturing capabilities while improving access to fast-growing consumer markets.

Supporting these ambitions is Cambodia ' s continued development plans in logistics and transport infrastructure. The country is advancing plans for multimodal connectivity and logistics hubs designed to strengthen trade efficiency and position Cambodia as a key regional gateway.

Cambodia is also aiming to implement best practices and optimise internal operational efficiency through an institutional strategy that includes the Council for the Development of Cambodia ' s( CDC) roadmap.

The Singaporean Ambassador also emphasised the recent developments at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, which reflect efforts to improve maritime connectivity and trade capacity, further complementing the country ' s wider economic plans.

His visit to Koh Kong also allows him to observe the conservation efforts and biodiversity tourism projects that intend to balance between environmental preservation and growth.

For Cambodia, the expanding cooperation with Singapore reflects an effort to move further up the value chain by attracting expertise, strengthening industrial capacity, and opening new pathways for export-oriented growth in emerging sectors such as halal manufacturing.

INDONESIA and Bangladesh are moving towards closer bilateral cooperation on halal product assurance as well as the establishment of a foreign halal certification body in Bangladesh.

At the centre of discussions is Bangladesh ' s proposed establishment of the halal institution. Bangladesh Ambassador to Indonesia Tarikul Islam stated that this move demonstrates Bangladesh ' s readiness and responsibility in integrating Indonesia ' s mandatory halal certification policy, which will take effect in October 2026. It is also expected to simplify product recognition and improve market access between both countries.

According to Indonesia ' s Halal Product Assurance Agency( BPJPH), stronger bilateral cooperation is becoming increasingly important as countries prepare for more standardised halal trade systems and rising consumer expectations for transparency and product assurance.

BPJPH head Ahmad Haikal Hasan said: " Collaboration with friendly countries is a strategic step toward creating a trustworthy, responsible, and interconnected halal product assurance system."

For Bangladesh, establishing a halal institution could help smooth the recognition process for its halal-certified products entering the Indonesian market while strengthening confidence among Muslim consumers. It may also create broader opportunities for Indonesian halal products to gain greater access to the Bangladeshi market.

Beyond compliance, the partnership reflects a broader trend within the halal economy, where governments are placing greater emphasis on harmonised standards

TRADED TRUST ONWARD: Head of Indonesian Halal Product Assurance Agency( BPJPH), Ahmad Haikal Hasan,( left) welcomes Bangladesh Ambassador to Indonesia, Tarikul Islam, during his visit to Jakarta.

and institutional cooperation to reduce trade friction.

As halal markets become increasingly globalised, mutual recognition frameworks are emerging as important tools for facilitating trade and improving regulatory consistency across borders.

For both Indonesia and Bangladesh, stronger cooperation will ease market access while also contributing to a more interconnected halal ecosystem built on shared standards and long-term trust.-