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September-October. 2026 | @ Halal
WHBC
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" Malaysia has a strong foundation. Our role now is to help build a global halal ecosystem that is more connected, competitive and inclusive and one that creates real economic value for businesses and communities."
Hanisofian Alias
The summit effect it easier for businesses to trade, invest and collaborate across markets.
EVOLVING MALAYSIA’ S LEADERSHIP Malaysia’ s established position in the halal sector provides a foundation, but maintaining leadership will require continued value creation as other countries develop their own halal ecosystems.
The growth of these ecosystems is viewed as positive because it expands the global halal economy. At the same time, Malaysia cannot rely solely on its early-mover position.
“ Leadership cannot be maintained by reputation alone. We must continue to create value,” stressed Hanisofian.
For Malaysia, he explained, that means broadening its strengths beyond certification and standards towards commercialisation, innovation, investment and global market access.
Malaysian companies will need to become more export-ready, innovative and digitally capable, while developing the scale and international connections required to participate in global value chains.
He also said Malaysia’ s approach need not be defined by competition with every emerging halal market. Sharing knowledge and collaborating with other countries can help expand opportunities across the wider ecosystem.
Such an approach would allow Malaysia to contribute to the wider development of the global halal economy while strengthening its own international connections and access to global markets.
THE 2030 HALAL VISION Looking towards 2030, HDC’ s ambition is for a global halal ecosystem that is more connected, trusted and commercially active.
The priorities include greater connectivity between halal markets, stronger international cooperation, particularly within Southeast Asia, and more efficient and transparent market access.
The vision also includes more Malaysian companies operating internationally, increased cross-border investment, stronger global halal value chains and greater adoption of technology and innovation.
Greater opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises( SMEs) and stronger links between halal and Islamic finance are also identified as part of that future.
“ The future of the halal economy should not be defined by separate national markets. It should be defined by how well we connect those markets, businesses, capabilities and opportunities.
“ Malaysia has a strong foundation. Our role now is to help build a global halal ecosystem that is more connected, competitive and inclusive and one that creates real economic value for businesses and communities,” he said.
GLOBAL DIALOGUE: The WHBC 2026 platform brings global stakeholders together to explore economic diplomacy, commercial opportunities and the next phase of the global halal economy.
SUMMIT BRIDGE: HDC’ s involvement in GHaS 2026 and MIHAS 2026 helps bridge strategic dialogue, industry engagement and commercial opportunities across markets.
The wider Global Halal Summit( GHaS) 2026 ecosystem is intended to bring different dimensions of the halal economy together, with the Halal Development Corporation Berhad’ s( HDC) World Halal Business Conference( WHBC) providing a strategic business dialogue component.
Meanwhile, the conference’ s proximity to the Malaysia International Halal Showcase( MIHAS) 2026 provides a direct link between strategic dialogue and the marketplace.
MAKING CONNECTIONS COUNTS The different components of GHaS are designed to complement one another rather than operate independently.
HDC’ s Interim Chief Executive Officer Hanisofian Alias said the corporation’ s role within GHaS encompasses policy advocacy, thought leadership and high-level strategic discussion, while also helping connect policy and industry through MITI, international partners and Malaysian businesses.
The success of HDC’ s participation, he said, should be assessed through tangible outcomes rather than attendance figures or the number of participating countries.
He identifies measurable indicators including businesses connected to new markets, business leads generated, potential investment opportunities identified and new international partnerships established.
“ For HDC, the real work begins after the event, in converting connections into sustained business relationships.”
WHEN DIALOGUE MEETS MARKETS Positioning WHBC alongside MIHAS 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre( MITEC) creates, according to Hanisofian, a direct link between high-level policy dialogue and the marketplace.
“ WHBC brings together policymakers, government representatives, thought leaders and senior industry decision-makers, while MIHAS brings buyers, exporters, distributors, investors and businesses together,” he explained, adding that the arrangement also reflects the different functions of HDC and MATRADE within the wider halal trade ecosystem.
Rather than treating the two events as separate, HDC sees them as increasingly complementary.
“ WHBC provides the strategic and policy conversation. MIHAS provides the commercial and market-facing platform. But these two functions need each other,” Hanisofian said.
The relationship is intended to work in both directions. Policy discussions need to understand industry realities, while business opportunities require an enabling policy environment.
HDC’ s role is to help bridge those two sides, connecting strategic discussion with commercial possibilities.