Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has extended an invitation to Maldivian businesses to explore its flourishing halal sector, particularly focusing on halal tourism. The invitation aims to leverage Malaysia's position as a global halal hub to foster collaboration between the two nations.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz highlighted the significant potential for collaboration in areas such as halal certification and the export of halal goods and services, which include Islamic finance, pharmaceuticals, and food production. Given the Maldives' status as a Muslim-majority country and Malaysia's leadership in the halal industry, the Halal Industry Master Plan 2030 envisions a pivotal role for the Maldives at a regional level.
Tengku Zafrul noted the positive impact of Malaysian companies like Secret Recipe, The Manhattan Fish Market, and Ramsay Sime Darby Healthcare in the Maldives. He encouraged more Malaysian businesses to capitalize on this momentum and engage with the investor-friendly environment in the Maldives. These remarks were made at the Maldives-Malaysia Business Forum 2025, which was attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.
Additionally, Tengku Zafrul invited forum participants to attend the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) from September 17-20, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur. He emphasized the event as an excellent opportunity for industry and government leaders to collaborate and maximize the potential of the global halal economy.
In 2024, the Maldives was Malaysia's sixth-largest trading partner, export destination, and import source in South Asia. The total bilateral trade last year reached RM862.7 million, marking a 4.3 percent increase from the previous year, which underscores the strong economic ties and growing confidence in the partnership between the two countries.
Earlier in the day, Anwar and Muizzu witnessed the exchange of three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and two exchanges of notes (EoNs) across various sectors, aimed at enhancing cooperation based on mutual benefit. Today marks the second day of the Maldives President's four-day official visit to Malaysia, his first since assuming office in November 2023, at the invitation of Anwar. The visit is expected to bolster bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, the halal industry, education, tourism, youth, and sports.