At the centre of that effort is the Global Halal Summit( GHaS) 2026, where the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia( JAKIM) will spearhead two international initiatives: the 16th Halal Certification Bodies Convention( HCBC) and the 5th International Halal Technical Capacity Development Programme( IHTCDP).

JAKIM Director-General Dato ' Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee said the initiatives reflect Malaysia ' s broader effort to strengthen confidence in its halal governance while deepening cooperation with international halal authorities, certification bodies and industry stakeholders.

The programmes will bring regulators, certification bodies, Shariah experts, academics and industry players together to address issues affecting the global halal ecosystem.

GHaS BUILDS TRUST The HCBC discussions will cover Shariah auditing, emerging fiqh issues, alcohol in food and beverages, cultured meat, halal vaccine certification, Islamic finance, import and export regulations, and recognition of foreign halal certification bodies.

Meanwhile, the IHTCDP adds a practical training dimension, covering food and beverages and food services, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and halal logistics. Participants will learn about Malaysian certification requirements, halal standards

“ Malaysia’ s approach is not to impose a single system on all countries, but to align areas where cooperation is possible while remaining firm on Shariah principles and halal integrity.”

Dato’ Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee

and assurance systems, critical ingredients, sampling and analysis, crisis management, traceability, and emerging standards.

For Sirajuddin, GHaS is envisaged as a platform connecting halal governance, technical expertise, and commercial opportunities, helping Malaysian businesses better understand international certification requirements, regulatory developments, and changing market expectations.

" GHaS 2026 will reinforce Malaysia ' s role not only as a leader in halal certification and standard-setting, but also as a trusted global reference for halal governance, technical capacity development and halal diplomacy," he said.

The initiatives are also intended to strengthen cooperation among global halal stakeholders by sharing expertise, experience and best practices. Greater understanding and alignment where cooperation is possible can build confidence in halal governance, facilitate international trade, and improve connectivity across global halal supply chains.

BUILDING MARKET LINKS The relationship with Malaysia International Halal Showcase( MIHAS) provides the commercial link. Led by the Malaysia

External Trade Development Corporation( MATRADE), MIHAS connects Malaysian exporters with international buyers, distributors and potential business partners.

" JAKIM provides the foundation of credibility, integrity and regulatory assurance, while MIHAS enables industry players to leverage that trusted framework to enter new markets and compete internationally," Sirajuddin explained.

The collaboration is particularly relevant to small and medium-sized enterprises( SMEs) seeking to move beyond the domestic market.

Through GHaS, SMEs can gain exposure to international regulatory developments, emerging standards and foreign market expectations. MIHAS then gives them a platform to showcase products, participate in business matching and engage directly with buyers, distributors and strategic partners.

This can help businesses strengthen compliance with halal and importing-country requirements, improve product quality and documentation, strengthen traceability and supply-chain integrity, understand international market trends and consumer expectations, establish connections with global buyers and distribution networks, and build credibility through the Halal Malaysia certification and brand.

FROM CERTIFICATION FORWARD The pathway extends beyond securing a certificate. As Sirajuddin explained, JAKIM ensures businesses are technically credible and internationally trusted, while MAT- RADE helps translate that credibility into export opportunities.

" Ultimately, JAKIM helps ensure that Malaysian halal businesses are technically credible and internationally trusted, while