Malaysia pushes 'Halal diplomacy', eyes ASEAN Halal Council by 2027

It is a regional push with implications for non-Muslim-majority members of the bloc such as Vietnam.

Speaking at the opening of the Global Halal Summit (GHaS), a forum on Halal diplomacy and governance that headlined the third day of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Zahid said the trust built around Halal should now be put to work.

"This is the purpose of Halal diplomacy: to use the trust we have built to open markets, facilitate investment and create opportunities together," he said.

That value, he stressed, must ultimately be felt by businesses.

"A small manufacturer should see a clearer road to an overseas buyer," Zahid said.

Despite growing demand, businesses still face differing requirements, repeated procedures and difficulties accessing markets, according to Zahid.

Zahid said he had proposed the regional council during a visit to Jakarta last week.

"The ASEAN Halal Council must have a clear mandate and concrete priorities," he said, adding that its success should be measured by fewer barriers and easier market access.

At the same ceremony, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) exchanged letters of intent on the Malaysia Halal Global Nexus (MyHGN), a new joint initiative.

Under the scheme, MATRADE officers posted overseas will guide local businesses on Malaysia's Halal ecosystem, strengthen recognition of international Halal certification and promote Halal exports.

For Vietnam, the initiative and the proposed regional council could open more doors for Vietnamese goods and services into Muslim markets.

Running from September 23 to 26 under the theme "Shaping Trust, Driving Resilience," MIHAS 2026 features 2,000 booths from 1,700 exhibitors across 14 sectors, from food and beverages to Islamic finance, modest fashion and Muslim-friendly tourism.

Its flagship International Sourcing Programme (INSP) has lined up more than 4,000 pre-arranged business-matching meetings between 600 Malaysian exporters and some 450 buyers from 58 economies.

"The INSP represents the core engine and 'soul' of MIHAS," said MATRADE chairman Reezal Merican Naina Merican.