Kuala lumpur: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) has officially opened applications for the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) Awards 2026, inviting eligible exhibitors to submit their entries before Aug 10.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the MIHAS Awards are being held to recognise outstanding exhibitors for their achievements in business growth, product and service excellence, innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation, as well as their contributions to the advancement of the global halal industry.
This year's awards feature 15 accolades distributed across three flagship categories: the MIHAS Excellence Awards; the MIHAS Innovation, Sustainability and Digitalisation Awards; and WiEX @ MIHAS (Anugerah Wira Ekonomi Wanita) Awards. The MIHAS Excellence Awards recognise achievements in Product Excellence, Service Excellence and Emerging Star categories, while the MIHAS Innovation, Sustainability and Digitalisation Awards honour exhibitors leveraging advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain and other digital solutions. The WiEX @ MIHAS awards celebrate exceptional women-led businesses across the Product, Service, and Innovation, Sustainability and Digitalisation categories.
MATRADE chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican stated that the awards continue to play an important role in elevating industry standards and recognising forward-thinking companies that are shaping the future of halal trade. He noted that the MIHAS Awards have become a hallmark of excellence within the global halal industry, recognising businesses that continuously raise the bar through innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth. As the halal economy continues to expand beyond traditional sectors, companies must embrace innovation, sustainability, and digitalisation to remain relevant and competitive.
This year's awards place greater emphasis on future-ready businesses embracing digital transformation, sustainability, and emerging technologies to create lasting value. Through the MIHAS Awards, MATRADE aspires to inspire more companies to innovate, compete globally, and contribute to the continued growth of the international halal economy.
The awards are open to all MIHAS 2026 exhibitors, including Malaysian and international participants, while Malaysian companies must also be registered as MATRADE members. Applicants must meet the prescribed financial eligibility criteria, with average annual sales exceeding RM500,000 for product categories and RM250,000 for service categories. For the MIHAS Excellence Awards, companies must have participated in MIHAS at least three times, while nominees for the Emerging Star category must have exhibited at least once previously, and applicants for the WiEX Awards must be exhibitors within the WiEX Pavilion.
Upon the submission deadline, entries will undergo a comprehensive evaluation process, beginning with a pre-assessment at the end of August, followed by pitching sessions before an independent panel of judges in early September. Winners will be announced at the official MIHAS Awards 2026 Ceremony on Sept 26. Apart from industry recognition, winners will receive promotional and branding benefits, including feature stories on the MATRADE Success Stories Portal, a complimentary one-year listing in the Malaysian Brand Directory, media interview opportunities, and a 15 per cent discount on future MIHAS exhibition booth rentals.