September-October. 2026 | @ Halal

GHAS

" 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."

Dato’ Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee

MATRADE helps translate that credibility into export opportunities.

" Together, both agencies can provide SMEs with a clearer pathway from certification and capability development to market entry and sustainable international growth."

The link also operates at exhibitor level. Before participation in MIHAS, MATRADE obtains verification from JAKIM on each participating exhibitor ' s halal certification status. This verification supports the showcase ' s credibility and strengthens confidence in the Halal Malaysia brand.

JAKIM ' s certification framework covers requirements including ingredients, processing, hygiene, traceability and halal assurance systems. Participation in MIHAS alone, however, does not mean every exhibitor, product or service is certified by JAKIM.

Individual halal status must be verified through valid certification from JAKIM, the relevant State Islamic Religious Authority or a JAKIM-recognised foreign halal certification body, where applicable.

MAINTAINING TRADE CONFIDENCE JAKIM also works with MATRADE and other strategic partners to promote awareness of halal requirements and encourage businesses to strengthen compliance throughout their operations and supply chains.

The combination of regulatory guidance, technical expertise and industry engage- ment is intended to help businesses meet the expectations of international buyers and regulators.

Beyond certification, Sirajuddin said JAKIM ' s role extends to providing strategic leadership for the governance, integrity and long-term development of Malaysia ' s halal ecosystem.

This includes developing halal policies and standards, enhancing regulatory frameworks, building technical expertise, promoting research and innovation, and strengthening collaboration among government agencies, industry, academia and international partners.

At the international level, JAKIM will continue engaging foreign halal authorities and certification bodies, sharing technical expertise and best practices, and promoting greater understanding and harmonisation where systems can be aligned.

" 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,” Sirajuddin said.

The governance-to-trade pathway is therefore designed to connect assurance with opportunity. GHaS strengthens regulatory understanding, technical capacity and international cooperation, while MIHAS provides access to buyers, investors and commercial networks. Together, the platforms link trusted halal governance with international market connectivity.

SHARED DIRECTION: JAKIM and MATRADE representatives at the GHaS 2026 unveiling, highlighting Malaysia’ s continued efforts to strengthen its global halal ecosystem.

Halal governance faces a technical landscape shaped by cultured meat and novel food technologies, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, complex ingredients, digital innovation, and cross-border supply chains. Maintaining credibility requires standards to keep pace. Department of Islamic Development Malaysia( JAKIM) Director-General Dato’ Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee said the challenge is to ensure the technical and regulatory foundations can support a changing halal industry.

“ Developments such as novel food technologies, cultured meat, pharmaceuticals and vaccines, increasingly complex ingredients, digital innovation and cross-border supply chains require halal standards, certification processes and assurance systems to remain relevant, robust and responsive,” he said.

EMERGING HALAL SECTORS JAKIM identifies pharmaceuticals and healthcare, cosmetics and personal care, halal logistics and Muslimfriendly tourism among areas with potential beyond food and beverages.

Pharmaceuticals and healthcare offer opportunities involving halal-certified medicines, vaccines, medical products and health-related services.

Cosmetics and personal care are increasingly linked to ingredient sources, product safety, ethical production and supply-chain transparency. Halal logistics requires integrity from sourcing and storage through transportation, handling and delivery.

Other areas include Islamic finance, digital halal solutions, laboratory services, research and innovation, professional training and technical consultancy. JAKIM’ s wider view is that these sectors can form an integrated ecosystem built around credible standards, technical expertise and innovation.

COMPETENCY ACROSS BORDERS Maintaining confidence also depends on certification bodies. JAKIM supports recognised foreign halal certification bodies through capacity-building, technical guidance, recognition procedures, auditing and monitoring.

The international landscape contains different halal standards, regulatory frameworks and certification practices. JAKIM’ s approach is to build mutual understanding and harmonise areas that can be aligned rather than make every system identical, while maintaining Shariah principles and halal integrity.

The credibility challenge extends across the supply chain. JAKIM identifies stronger traceability and transparency, competent halal professionals, management of misinformation and halal-related crises, and Malaysian businesses’ ability to meet international requirements as priorities.

PROTECTING HALAL CREDIBILITY GHaS brings certification bodies, halal authorities, Shariah scholars, technical experts, academia and industry together to exchange expertise and discuss emerging questions.

JAKIM’ s International Halal Technical Capacity Development Programme( IHTCDP) covers food and beverages and food services, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and halal logistics, including critical ingredients, sampling and analysis, crisis management, traceability and emerging halal standards.

“ The aim is not to make every halal system identical, but to build mutual understanding, harmonise areas that can be aligned and strengthen international cooperation without compromising Shariah principles and halal integrity,” Sirajuddin said.