Kuala lumpur: The MADANI government will continue to proactively position the halal industry as a key contributor to the national economy, particularly in trade discussions, in every investment mission and bilateral engagement, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He emphasized Malaysia's approach to positioning halal as a universal economic model, making it an integral part of bilateral talks with both Muslim-majority and non-Muslim countries.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Prime Minister Anwar highlighted Malaysia's expertise in halal certification at the KazanForum 2025 in Russia and offered support to strengthen global halal standards. During the BRICS Leaders Summit in Brazil, he encouraged Brazilian and Malaysian companies to explore business opportunities within the halal industry. Speaking at the opening of the Global Halal Summit (GHAS) 2025, held alongside the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2025, Anwar underscored Malaysia's consistent top position in the Global Islamic Economic Indicator (GIEI) for 11 consecutive years.
Anwar stated that Malaysia's strength is particularly noticeable in Islamic finance, halal food, and media and recreation, attributing this success to the government's dedicated efforts to prioritize the halal industry as a fundamental pillar of national growth. The Prime Minister outlined that the Halal Industry Master Plan (HIMP) 2030 and the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 provide a strategic framework to establish Malaysia as the world's leading halal hub.
He emphasized the critical role of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as growth drivers in the halal sector, highlighting the MADANI government's commitment to supporting these enterprises through various strategic initiatives. Substantial funds have been allocated under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) to accelerate the growth of the halal sector, which is projected to contribute RM231 billion to the national GDP by 2030, fueled by robust demand in food, finance, and tourism.
Prime Minister Anwar noted that the global halal market is valued at over RM16.02 trillion and is anticipated to reach RM22.88 trillion by 2030. He projected that, supported by robust national policies and MIHAS' successful track record, exports of halal products and services from Malaysia are expected to reach RM80 billion by 2030.
The government has strongly advocated for Malaysian companies to adopt digitalization in trade to maintain global competitiveness. Leveraging digital technologies, Malaysian companies can improve operational efficiency, expand market reach, and explore new opportunities in the digital economy and cross-border trade. Anwar announced that MIHAS 2025 will fully utilize the MADANI Digital Trade (MDT) platform, an AI-driven solution designed to optimize cross-border business matching for Malaysian halal exporters and importers, including MSMEs.
Anwar further shared that advanced technologies such as big data analytics, cloud computing, and AI would help MDT evolve into an intelligent trade platform, potentially transforming Malaysia's halal industry. He called on the international community, businesses, and representatives to embrace halal as a system of values promoting ethical consumption, social justice, human dignity, and environmental sustainability.
Organized by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), MIHAS 2025 is taking place at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur from September 17-20, 2025. With the theme "Pinnacle of Halal Excellence," the event features 2,400 booths with exhibitors and buyers from 80 countries and is expected to attract 45,000 visitors, aiming to achieve sales of RM4.5 billion.