Malaysia: Malaysia's halal exports reached US$7 billion (US$1=RM4.19) in the first half of 2025, accounting for 16.1 per cent of national exports, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He said the key products were food and beverages, halal ingredients, and palm oil derivatives, which were shipped to markets as diverse as China, Singapore, the United States, Japan, and Indonesia.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid emphasized that these achievements are a result of a collaborative effort involving regulators, corporations, small and medium enterprises, and scholars. His keynote address was delivered on his behalf by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz at the World Halal Business Conference Circuit (WHBC) 2025.
He noted that more than 10,000 halal-certified companies currently contribute to Malaysia's global halal footprint. Malaysia is looking to strengthen this ecosystem further through digitalisation, tourism, halal parks, logistics integration, and end-to-end traceability. This strategy is aimed at ensuring the halal system is efficient, resilient, and ready for the future.
With the Halal Industry Master Plan (HIMP) 2030 as a guiding framework, Malaysia is determined to sustain growth, deepen international linkages, and remain globally competitive. The deputy prime minister stressed that the universal halal concept is not merely a dream for tomorrow but a reality that Malaysia has been building for decades.
He highlighted that what began as a simple process of verification has grown into one of the most dynamic sectors of the global economy. Halal today extends beyond kitchens or restaurants, influencing sectors such as medicine, fashion, logistics, finance, and technology.
WHBC 2025 serves as a premier global platform for halal thought leadership, gathering policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to shape the future of the halal economy in line with Malaysia's HIMP 2030. Malaysia aims to reinforce its role as a global halal hub by driving innovation, sustainability, inclusivity, and deeper integration across the halal ecosystem. This year's conference convenes governments, trade leaders, and scholars to explore opportunities in a borderless world and unlock new growth for the global halal industry.